404 






Class. 
Book-^ 



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S^^'^h 



HISTORY OF MEXICO: 



CONTINUED FROM 



THE CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ, 



TO THE TERMINATION OF THE 



WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES. 

'^^ . CONTAINING THE FULL 



TREATY OF PEACE, ETC., ETC 



BEING A CONTINUATION OF "YOUNG'S HISTORY OF MEXICO.' 



BY GEORGE C. FURBER, ESQ., 

AUTHOR OF "twelve MONTHS VOLUNTEER.'' 



CINCINNATI: 

PUBLISHED BY J. A. AND U. P. JAMES. 

1848. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



The decease of the author of the foregoing portion of the HisTonv of Mexico, 
renders it incumbent on another to carry out the same, whose object, through the 
whole of the succeeding historical narration has been, to give simply as full and cor- 
rect an account as possible, of the disastrous battles that succeeded the fall of Vera 
Cruz to the close of the war with the United States. We give to the reader a con- 
cise view of the everchanging scenes of the Mexican government and the political 
parties of the nation, as acted upon and directed by the multitude of her political 
chiefs during that period ; and though the picture presented cannot be pleasant for the 
thoughtful mind to contemplate, yet it is interesting from its very changes. We 
leave it under the government of Herrera, at the conclusion of the war with the Uni- 
ted States ; and rejoice that the commencement of that administration has shown more 
energy and vigor, in repressing insurrections, in maintaining order and tranquillity, 
and in advancing the best interests of the people, than any administration that has 
held the reins of power since the banishment of the Emperor Iturbide ; and it is to he 
hoped and expected, that the events of the war, and the occupation of parts of the 
country by the American armies, has proved of advantage to the Mexican nation, iri 
showing the people their true strength, the advantages of law and order in civil soci- 
ety, and the true value of their host of military chieftains ; but, more especially, in 
having had a strong influence in removing from the minds of the people the slavish 
superstitions with which they have been encircled. It is for the future historian to 
relate the effect of these lessons upon Mexico, and by that eflect to trace the nation in 
its rising progress to a respectable, and to a degree, happy people ; or, on the other 
hand, by a neglect of these, and by a continuance of the same course as of former 
years, to follow her fallen power, step by step, to the deepest anarchy ; then to record, 
that Mexico was a nation of former times, but now no more. 



E.NTERED according to act of Congress, in the year 1848, by J. A. & U. P. JAMES, in the 
Clerk's office of the district court of Ohio. 



S 



D^o'k 



f«^- 



CONTENTS. 



BO©K S. 



C HAP TE R L 

Captv HE of Americans by General Urrea — Proclamation of Santa Anna — His 
march to Cerro Gordo — Vice Presidency abolished — Gomez Farias removed 
from power — Election of Anaya president substitute — Battle ground of Cerro 
Gordo — Position of Mexican troops — Battle of Cerro Gordo — Defeat of the 
Mexican »rmy — Organization of guerrilla forces — Capture of Tuspan — Cap- 
ture of Alvarado and Fiacotalpam — California — Proclamation there of Gen. 
Kearney — Resolutions of Mexican Congress From p. 47.5 to p. 490 

CHAPTER II. 

Santa Ansa's flight from the battle field of (Jenro Gordo — His arrival at Ori- 
zaba — His dispatches to the government — Blames Gen. Canalize — Joined by 
Gen. Leon — Issues guerrilla ajmmissions — Measures of Anaya for defense of 
the capital — Proclamation of Anaya — Liberty of the press restricted — Decrees 
of Gen. Bravo — Santa .Anna's attack on Gen. Worth — He ap[)ears before the 
city of .Mexico — .Murmurs of the populace — Enters the capital 496 

CHAPTER III. 

Retirement of .Anaya — .Santa Anna tenders his resignation — Refused by con- 
gress — Condition of states — Dictatorial powers of the president — His efforts 
to fortify the city — Liberty of the press again restricted — Refusal of American 
propositions of peace — .\rrival of Gen. Valencia from San I^uis Potosi. . . .504 

CHAP TER IV. 

Padre Jaralta — .Actions of guerrilla forces against the American columns 
and trains — Capture of Tobasco — Evacuation of Jalapa — Correspondence be- 
tween Gen. .Mora y Villamil, at San LuLs Potosi, and Gen. Taylor, at Saltiilo 
— Release of American prisoners — Sent to Tarnpico — Detained by Gen. Garay 
— Expedition of Americans under Col. Dc Russy — Battle of Huejulia — De- 
feat of the .A mericans — Their retreat .509 

473 



474 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

Approach of the Americans from Puebla — Preparations for defense — Arrival of 
the Americans before the Penon — Americans advance to San Augustine — 
Commencement of the battle of Contreras on the I9th of August — Battle of 
Contreras — Complete defeat of Valencia-Battle of Churubusco — Entire defeat 
of the Mexicans — The rout — Distress within the walls — Proposals for an ar- 
mistice — Terms of the armistice — Ratification of the same — Congress retires 
to Toluca — Political Parlies — Puros — Moderados — Monarquistas — Attack of 
leperos on American train — Communication to Santa Anna from Gen. Scott 
— Santa Anna's reply — Terms of peace proposed on either side — Renewal of 
hostilities — Review of actions of Santa Anna — Comparison of the opposing 
armies — Position of Mexican troops at Molino del Rey — Battle of Molino del 
Key — Its results — Battle of Chapultepec — Final attack of the Americans on 
the city — Surrender of the same — Summary of American loss in the valley of 
Mexico 539 Ty I 

CHAPTER VI. 

Santa Anna's movements — Disposal of the army — Resigns the presidency — 
Pena y Pena assumes it by his position of chief justice of the supreme court — 
Siege of Puebla by Gen.,Rea — Santa Anna takes command — Advance of 
Gen. Lane — Padre Jarauta's attack on Major Lally's command — Battles 
of Huamantla and Atlixco — Santa Anna deprived of command — Santa 
Anna's " Exposition " — Election of President Anaya — Battle of Matamoras 
— Anaya's term expires — Pena y Pena again assumes the presidency — 
Movements of Gen. Lane — Santa .Anna's last address — Signing of the treaty of 
peace — The armistice — the treaty — Circular of Rosa — Santa .Anna — Paredes 
— Jarauta — Zenobia — Alvarez — Almonte — Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales — 
Condition of Yucatan — Treaty ratified by the American senate — Arrival of 
American commissioners — Meeting of congress — Ratification of the treaty — 
Departure of American armies from Mexico — Gen. Herrera elected president 
— Revolution of Paredes and Jarauta— Its suppression 572 



BOOK VIII. 



CHAPTER I. 

Opinions of the Battle of Bucna Vista, by the Mexican nation — Gen. Urrea's success 
— Santa Anna's efforts to increase his Army — His March to meet Gen. Scott — 
HLs arrival at the Pass of Cerro Gordo — Preparations for Battle — Decree of the 
Mexican Congress, abolishing the Office of Vice President, and appointing that 
of President Substitute — Consequent deprivation of power of Gomez Farias — 
Election of Senor Anaya, President Substitute — Protest of the Minority of Con- 
gress — Battle Ground of Cerro Gordo — Disposition of the Mexican Troops — Ad- 
vance of the American Army, from Vera Cruz — Battle of Cerro Gordo — 'J'he 
disastrous defeat — Surrender of Jalapa, Perote, and Puebla — Effect at the Capital — 
Adoption of the Guerrilla System of Warfare — Capture of Tuspan, by the Ameri- 
can Navy — The fall of Alvarado — California — Losses of the Nation witliin the 
year — Patriotic Conduct of the Mexican Congress. 

The possession of the three pieces of American artillery and the 
flags, taken by Santa Anna, at Buena Vista, enabled him to claim the 
victory there, in terms sufficiently plausible, to deceive the Mexican 
nation, always willing to be deceived in opinion of the ability of their 
generals, and the prowess of their troops. — The fact of the army 
having totally failed in its proposed object — that of driving the inva- 
ders from their northern position — was not thought of, save to refer it 
to their want of provisions, as the commander-in-chief affirmed. — His 
reception by the people of the towns on his route of retreat, was that 
accorded a conqueror. They believeil, that he had given a death blow 
to the army of the United States in the north, and that he would soon 
utterly defeat and drive from the shores of the republic, that victo- 
rious column, which, under Gen. Scott, had just accomplished the 
reduction of the ricli city of Vi;ra Cruz, and the strong rastle of Ulloa- 

The Mexicans now looked not upon tlieir real losses, but only 
dwelt upon their future fancied success. — Their spirits and confi- 
dence were also much elevated, by the result of an assault, made by 
Gen. Urrea, with a body of lancers, upon a large wagon-train of the 

(47.5) 



476 CAPTURE OF AMEKICANS BY (iEN. URREA. 

enemy, near Marin, and not lar from Monterey. — On tlie 22cl of Feb- 
ruary, the same day of the commencement of die battle of Buena 
Vista, Urrea liad wholly routed this American force, killing fifty, and 
takinif thirty prisoners, together with one hundred and ten wagons 
with irmy stores, and three hundred pack mules with the same, and 
valual)le merchandise. 

This event added to the exultation of the nation, who now be- 
lieved, that the tide of war would turn, under the direction of Santa 
Anna; and, to the patriotic appeal which he addressed to them,* 
upon hearing of the fall of Vera Cruz, they responded, by thousands 
rushing to his standard. — In a few days, he found his available 
forces swelled to a respectable army. — Having collected a vast 
amount of materiel of war, and impressed into his service all the 
wagons of private individuals within the city, and alajos, or droves 
of pack mules, sufficient for his purposes, on the 2d of April he 
commenced a rapid march for the strong position of Cerro Gordo, 
on the national road, between the cities of Vera Cruz and Jalapa ; 
which he resolved to fortify in such strength, as to resist the onward 
movement of tlie invaders, toward the heart of the country. 

On this march, his army was still further increased in numbers. At 
Puebla, he was received with joy, and supplies furnished him. — From 



* ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA, President ad interim of the Mexican 

Republic, to his compatriots: 

Mexicans : Vera Cruz is already in the power of the enemy. It has succumbed ; 
not under the influence of American valor, nor can it be even said that it has fallen 
under the impulses of their good fortune. To our shame be it said, we ourselves, have 
produced this deplorable misfortune, by our own interminable discords. 

The truth is due to you from the government ; you are the arbiters of the fate of 
our country. If our country is to be defended, it will be you who will stop the tri- 
innphant march of the enemy, who now occupies Vera Cruz. If the enemy advance 
one step more, the national independence will be buried in the abyss of the past. 

I am resolved to go out and encounter the enemy. What is life worth, emiobled by 
the national gratitude, if the country suffers under a censure, the stain of which will 
be visible upon the forehead of every Mexican 1 

My duty is to sacrifice myself, and I well know how to fulfill it ! Perhaps the 
American hosts may proudly tread the imperial capital of the Aztecs. I will never 
witness su(^h opprobrium, ibr I am decided, first to die fighting ! 

The momentous crisis has at length arrived to the Mexican Republic. It is as glo- 
rious to die fighting, as it is infamous lo declare ourselves cuuqucrrd, withmit a strug- 
gle — and by an enemy whose rapacity is as far removed from valor as from geiK^rosity, 

Mexicans ! you have a religion — protect it ! You have honor — then free yourselves 
from infamy ! You love your wives, your children — then liberate them from Ameri- 
can bnitality ! But it must be by action — not by vain' entreaty nor barren desires — 
with which the enemy must be opposed. The national cause is infinitely just, although 



MARCH OF 8ANTA ANNA. 477 

the castle of Porote, as ho advanced, ho withdrew many pieces of 
artillery, i?\ addition to those that he had brought on; and, anticipating 
a long and protracted battle, from here he added also mucii inateriel. 
At the beautiful city of Jalapa, as he neared his intended position, he 
was received with the greatest enthusiasm, increased among the inli;il)- 
itants. by the knowledge, that should the army fail to arrest the pro- 
gress of the enemy, their city would be the tirst to fall into the invader's 
hands. — Here, more supplies were furnished, not only in sul)sistence 
and ammunition, but in that more needed at this juncture, money for 
the pay of the troops. 

He arrived at the position of Cerro Gordo with an army of near 
fifteen thousand men, with a fine park of forty-two pieces of artillery, 
and an immense malericl of war. — The old fortifications, which, in 
the war for independence, had made this point impregnable against 
the efforts of any force advancing from the east, were reoccupied, re- 
paired, increased, and strengthened. — The wild and desolate hills, and 
the lonely mountain pass were covered, over and around, by the warlike 
and imposing battalions of Mexico, whose flag blew out from the lofty 
summits of the eminences, in the strong gulf breeze, that came rush- 
ing up from the extended regions of thetierras calientes, or hot lands, 
which lay spread out in view at their bases, far below, like a map. 

God appears to have deserted us ; but His ire will be appeased, when we present, as 
an expiation of our errors, the sentiments of true patriotism, and of a sincere union. 
Thus, the Almighty will bless our effort.s, and we will be invincible ; for, against th • 
decision of eight millions of Mexicans, of what avail are the efTorts of eight or ten 
thousand Americans, when opposed by the fiat of Divine justice ! 

Perhaps I speak to you for the la.st time ! I pray you hsten to me ! Do not vacil- 
late between death aTid bravery ; and if the enemy conquer you, at least they will 
respect the heroism of your resistance. It is now time that the common defense 
should alone occupy your thoughts! The hour of sacrifice has sounded its approach ! 
Awaken ! A tomb opens at your feet ! Conquer a laurel to repose on it. 

The nation has not yet lost its vitality. I swear to you, I will answer tor the triumph 
of Mexico, if unanimous and sincere desires on your part, second my desires. Happy 
will have been, a thousand times happy, the unfortunate event at Vera Cruz, if the 
destruction of that city may have served to infuse into the Mexican breast the dignity 
and the generous ardor of a true patriotism ! Thus will the country have bci-n indu- 
bitably saved ; but if the country succumb, she will bequeath her opprobrium and her 
censure to those egotists who were not ready to defend her — to those who traitorouslv 
pursued their private turmoils to trample upon the national banner ! 

Mexicans! your fate is the fate of the nation ! Not the American.s, ])ut voi; will 
decide her destiny ! Vera Cruz calls for vengeance ! Follow me, and wash out the 
stain of her dishonor ! 

ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA. 

Mexico, March 31, 1817. 



478 ABOLISHING THE VICE PRESIDENCY. 

Under the direction of the commauder-in-chiel", the wliole army was 
iu active note of preparation, and the tones of bugles, and the roll of 
drums, answered each other from hight to hight, and resounded in the 
deep glens whose passage was to be efTectually prohibited to the enemy. 

Another political change had taken place at the capital, a few days 
before this time. The Vice-President, Gomez Farias, as has been 
before recorded, had obtained the ill will of the clergy, and horror 
stricken the more bigoted part of the people, by his efforts to raise 
means for the support of the armies of the nation, from the sale of the 
immense property of the church. — Tliis liad led to the revolution 
against his power, conducted by Gen. Pena y Barragan, which the 
president, Santa Anna, had quelled by his rapid approach from San 
Luis Potosi. — Now, as he was again altout to leave with the army, 
to meet Gen. Scott, the enemies of Gomez Farias exerted themselves 
to remove him from office, before he should again have the sway of 
the government at the capital. — But as this could not be done by revo- 
lution without striking at the power of the President Santa Anna, 
against whom no one, at the present, wished to move, a bolder scheme 
was planned and carried through congress, after fierce opposition, 
by the passage of the following decree, which, while it gave the 
president permission to lead the army against the enemy, efiectually 
removed Gomez Farias from power, by abolishing the office which 
he held, making provision for its place to be supplied by that of 
a president-substitute ; and also, providing for the next election, ac- 
cording to the old plan of continual changes of form of government 
and elections, which has been so far, the particular curse of the Mex- 
ican Republic. 

" 1. Permission is granted to the actual President of the Republic, 
to take command, in person, of the forces which the Government may 
place under his command, to resist the foreign enemy. 

" 2. The Vice Presidency of the Republic, established by the law 
of 21st December last, is suppressed. 

"3. The place of the provisional President shall be filled by a sub- 
stitute, named by Congress, according to the terms of the law just 
cited. 

" 4. If, in this election, the vote of the deputations should be tied, 
in place of determining the choice by lot. Congress shall decide, voting 
by person. 

" 5. The functions of the substitute shall cease, when the provi- 
sional President shall return to the exercise of power. 

"6. On the 15th day of May next, the legislatures of the states 
shall proceed to the election of a President of the Republic, according 



ELECTION OF ANAYA PRESIDENT SUBi^TlTUTE. 479 

to the form prescribed by the constitution of 1824, and with no other 
difference, save voting for one individual only. 

"7. Tlie same legislatures shall at once transmit to the Sovereign 
Congress, the result of the election, in a certified dispatch." 

This decree was passed upon the 30th March ; and at the same sit- 
ting. Congress, having been informed, through a minister, that Presi- 
dent Santa Anna wished at once to depart for the army, immediately 
resolved itself into permanent session, and elected, to fill the newly 
created office of president substitute, Senor Pedro Maria Anaya, a 
person of patriotism, integrity and capability, who was popular witli 
the three great classes, the clergy, army, and people ; and who, 
moreover, not having been an actor on the changing political arena, at 
this important period possessed the advantage of having no bitter 
political enemies. — He was installed into office on the 2d day of April, 
and as soon as the ceremony was over, Santa Anna left for the army, 
which had already taken up the line of march. 

This action of congress, in thus abolishing the vice presidency, 
was, by the minority thereof, in a few days after, protested against in 
the most energetic manner, and declared " irregular and unconstitution- 
al ; " and to this protest the legislature of the powerful State of Ja- 
lisco added its remonstrance in a short time, but it produced no effect. 
The president substitute, Anaya, entered upon the duties of his office 
witli vigor, and in conjunction with Gen. Bravo, left in command of 
the forces at the capital, began making strong efforts to still farther 
arouse the spirit of resistance against the invaders, both in the capital 
and nation. 

At Cerro Gordo, Santa Anna and his generals spared no exertion 
necessary to still further increase the formidable defenses. — This posi- 
tion was wild and rugged in the extreme. — A small river of clear 
water running eastwardly dashed over the rocks and wound its way 
along in the romantic bottom of a wide and terrible ravine, into the 
perpendicular depth of which, five hundred feet, it is awful to look 
down from the rocky bights, which now formed the position of 
the right of the Mexican army. — The mountain tropical birds sailed 
through its depths, far below tlie point of vision, while the opposite 
precipitous boundary of dark and naked rocks, at the distance of half 
a mile across the chasm, effectually forbade descent into the depths. 
No passage, therefore, could be attempted across this from the north- 
west to the southeast, save at one point, in the latter direction, where 
with infinite labor, along a natural ravine, that met the other at right 
angles, the old Spanish road had been constructed, which descended to 
it, five miles from Cerro Gordo. — A magnificent stone bridge, of lofty 



480 BA'n'I.K CKOIINI) OK CI'.KKO <;()IM)(). 

arclics, spiiiiiicd [ho slrcaiii, and llic road, Icaviiitr il af'lcr (•i(»Hsiii^ a 
small plain, called I'laii del Mm, rose ai^aiii (Voin its deptlis by a Hj)iial 
asi^cul around tlu; brow of a lofly inoiintaiii, turned to tlie norlhwe.st, 
and lollowed a |)arallel course, as it rapidly ascended anionjr tlie rocky 
hill.s which were int(;rHj)(;rHed with lon^ and decj) jrlcns and j)recipitouH 
ravines, not so lar^re as iIk; former, hut terrihh; to look into, and inostly 
impassable; winding aroiind these hills, and on the precipitous edges 
of these chasms, the road came to the pass of (/(-rro (iordo; — this 
was looked down upon from either side by imposiiijLr eminences, their 
brows now surrounded by breastworks, frowning with cannon, and 
bristling with bayonets; wliile in the rear, from strong batteries jjro- 
trnded the mouths of heavy cannon, bearing down upon the pass, ren- 
dering it impossible f(K a foe to advance ; — along this road the invaders 
nuist come, 

Cen. Santa Anna established his headquarters in tli(; rear of these 
hills, on a j)lain, and near the (;dge of the terrible southern ravine. — 
As it was impossible to descend into its depths to obtain water from the 
river, a small stream from the hills still in his rear was diverted and 
conveyed to this spot, by a diteh. — Me placed his hospitals and stores 
around him, and strengthened his immediate position, by a battery of 
seven pieces of artillery, as a precaution of reserve, and backed them 
by a body of four thousand lancers, under the command of Gen. Cana- 
lizo. — In front of him, as he looked towards the east, rose the lofty hills 
between which came up the pass. — That on the right, was bounded by 
the southern ravine on its flank, and ended abruptly in threr; spurs on 
its eastern extremity; from these, one could sec down on tfie hot and 
lower regions of the tierras cali(!ntes, and the distant gulf l)ounded the 
view. — On the left, Cerro (Iordo arose in its bulk near a thousand 
feet, and in front of that, to the east, the lower but lofty hill of Telc- 
grafo stretched out its long extent, every fool of its surface under the 

plunging fire of the guns of Cerro Gordo Around the northern base 

of this, and of Cerro (Jordo, ran a derjp ravine, considered impassa- 
ble. — At the narrow mouth of the pass, he established a battery of 
five cannon, bearing down its extent; the road was also ditched and 
barricaded ; here, too, he stationed heavy bodies of inf mtry. — On 
the top of Cerro Gordo, to the left, w ore placed six pieces of artil- 
lery, and three thousand choice troops under (Jen. Arnpudia, with 
Gen, Vasquez as second in command. — On the hill to the right, along 
its brow, from the commencement of its ascent, at the mouth of the 
pass, to its termination on the first eastern spur, twelve hundr(;d yards, 
all the way looking down on the road as it wound round the gorge, 
were breastworks lined with infantry, and a battery of three cannon 



i'()>-l'il()S OF 'iJJK MEXICAN 'JJiOOJ*}-;. ^f,l 

rnidwav. 'l'\i<:H<'.,lij</<:i\it'r willj iIk,- firtrt ';:i«U;rn hjjur of th'r '-riiiiK^nce, 
whicli ov<;rhiJH(/ the roa'i for fi:<lfa iriilf^ \)iA'or<i it rrnUn' d tli'; {>;«>:, and 
on whi';ti w(rr<; j/ioijntf;d h<rvr;ii pir;<f;K of arlJlU;ry, w-is; pla.';<;d uiidfrr the 
fX>mf/r<ind of <^*C'n. Itouiulu!^ d«; la Vr:;(a. — Th'; t;f;';ond, or C(;ntr:d Kpur, 
sC'paraUjd from each of the olfierw hy a deep ravine, and heing, hy llie 
elopintr position of the j^round for a rnile in front of it, more easily 
approaxdied, was stronger; with two lineri of rock defense, mounting 
eight pieces of artillery, and supported hy a force of two thousand 
men, consisting of the hattalions of /achapuistia and Ifallanque, a 
body of artillery of the line, and t)ie piquets of Matamoras and Liher- 
tad — some of the oldest and hesl troops of the Mexican army. — Thiji 
important post was commanded hy Gen. Jo^e MarL'i Jarero, witli J'ost 
Capt. iJon Buenaventura Aranjo, a brave officer, second in command. 

'I'he third, and Bouthern spur, f]anke<l hy the deep cliasm, and fronts 
ing like llie other two, on the same line to the east, was also def<;nded 
by a sUjne breastwork, and mounted six pieces of artillery, part of them 
«o disposed, as to bear upon a column advancing upon the central bat- 
tery. ']'hij< post was commanded by Gen. Luis Pirison. 

In all his arrangements for the approaching wnflict, tlie tx>mman- 
der-in-chief displayed great generalship ; and, with full confidence in 
their fiuc;ess, and with tlie knowledge, tliat upofi the event of this bat- 
tle wa>! slaked every hope of Mexico, the subordinaU; generals and the 
army awaited the approach of the daring inva/iers. 

On the 8th of April, the advance of the Arnericams, under Gen. 
Twiggs, left Vera Cruz, on their rnarcli t^jward the inU;rior. On the 
10th, proceeded a large division under Maj. Gen. Patt/.-rson. On the 
12th, Gen. Hcott with the dragoons. On the l.'ith, the division of 
Gen. Worth followed, with the artillery ; and on the 18th, the brigade 
of Gen Quitrnan brought up the rear. 

Gen. Twiggs's force arriving at Plan del Itio, on the 11th, after a 
hot skirmish with the advance of the Mexican lancers, {/awsed on until 
they were within direct gun-shot of the formi<iable intrenchments, 
without f>eing aware of their existenf;e — with such t^elerity and silencer 
had Santa Anna made his arrangements. — 'i'wiggs fell back Uj Plan 
del Rio, and awaited the appr<>a/;h of J-'atterson's division, which, fol- 
lowed by (iftntrdl iSc/jtt and Gen. Worth's division, soon arrived, and 
thfi two aLnuKiti lay at a distance of five, miles apart. 

Santa Anna, his officers and soldiers, were now most active. — 
The general was over all parts of the field, again and again, directing 
all operations upon the various points for defense. Tlje main atta^ik 
he expected would be upon tlie right ; for no one in liis army dreamed 
tiiat tlie lofty hill of Cerro Gordo could be stormed. Ujxnj his right 
.SI 



482 BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 

the trees and brush were cut down for a distance of two hundred 
yards in front, and along the slope of the hill down to the road below. 
From this position, he could look direcdy down upon the American 
camp in the deep valley below ; every movement there was percepti- 
ble to, and prepared for, by him. 

Gen. Scott, on the other hand, was equally active. In addition to 
the rei'onnoisances made by Gen. 'J'wiggs, others more daring, were 
completed by the engineers, and by Gen. Pillow in person. The 
result of these, from the nature of the ground, and the impossibility 
of approach by a small party was extremely unsatisfactory, but still 
enough for Gen. Scott to form his plan of attack. One important 
item, the artillery on the right, was undiscovered in these reconnoi- 
sances. — On the 17th of April, Gen. Twiggs advanced, cut a new road 
to the right of the main one, and crossing some ravines before deemed 
impassable, took possession of the higlit of Telegrafo, the long and 
high hill in front, and below the lofty Cerro Gordo, the Mexican left. 
Santa Anna, from the latter hill, seeing this movement, sent a large 
force to regain Telegrafo. — A sharp action immediately took place, 
but the Americans retained possession of the important eminence ; 
and during the night, reinforced by Gen. Shields's brigade, mounted on 
the hill, three 24 pounders, and the next morning, the 18th, opened a 
heavy upward lire upon the hight of Cerro Gordo. — Santa Anna was 
there, but left shortly afterwards, for his headquarters. Gen. Ampu- 
dia also left, leaving the post in command of Gen. Vasquez. 

Soon after this firing had commenced, the Mexican lines were as- 
sailed in all parts, with the utmost impetuosity. — Gen. Pillow vigor- 
ously assaulted the strong right; Col. Harney, with Twiggs's brigade, 
ascended the hill of Cerro Gordo ; Col. Riley, with the 2d brigade, 
winding round the base of that, attacked in rear the fortifications 
on the road ; while Gen. Shields led his brigade still further round 
from the base and in the rear of the hill, and suddenly and violently 
assaulted the headquarters of Santa Anna himself, taking the seven 
gun battery, routing the Mexican infiintry, and putting Gen. Canalizo's 
body of cavalry to a complete and disorderly flight. — Col. Harney, 
after experiencing a desperate resistance on the top of Cerro Gordo, 
carried it with the bayonet. — Col. Riley, after resistance equally 
strong, routed the forces at the entrance of the pass, and captured the 
battery there. 

(ien. Pillow, on the right, furiously assaulted the strong works, and 
not dreaming of artillery, was received by such a destructive lire of 
canister shot, from eight pieces in front, live on the next battery to 
to his right, and four on the one to his left, and the lire of two thou- 



FJEFEAT OF THE MEXI("AN AIJMV. 483 

sand muskets, that his foremost regiment, the 2(1 'IViinessee, was swept 
away instantaneously. — More formidable preparations for another 
assault were immediately made ; but, Generals La Vega, Pinson and 
Jarero, seeing that the hight of (Jerro fJordo was carried, which com- 
manded, from the left, and rear, their position, and that their retreat 
was entirely cut off, surrendered tlieir whole forces prisoners of war ; 
while the fugitives from the other parts of the field, lied along the 
Jalapa road, as rapidly as fear could urge diem, followed and cut 
down, by the American dragoons and infantry. 

Gen. Santa Anna barely escaped, on one of the mules of his car- 
riage. — Gen. Ampudia with difliculty and by stratagem eluded the p<ir- 
suit of the dragoons, which continued for sixteen miles. — Never was 
a batUe more fully lost, never was a rout more complete, more final, 
more disastrous. The Mexican army was for the present annihilated. 
Gen. Canalizo's lancers passed through Jalapa, in fear and haste, 
where, a few days before, they had boasted, that each man wouhl bring 
a captive enemy tied in triumph to his horse. The Mexican loss 
in this batde, was fifteen hundred killed and wounded, four thousand 
prisoners, including two hundred and eighty-five oflficers, and five 
generals, viz., Pinson, Jarero, La Vega, Noreiga, and Obando. Gen. 
Vas(]uez was killed at his post. Forty-two pieces of cannon, most 
of them brass, eight thousand stand of arms, many wagons and pack 
mules, and an immense materiel fell into the hands of the Americans. 
Sixteen thousand dollars in silver, was found in Santa Anna's carriage. 

This result of the batde was so astounding, so unlocked for, by 
all parties in Mexico, that the utmost consternation and dread spread 
itself widely around. — The city of Jalapa immediately surrendered 
to the conquerors ; the famous castle of Perote was found by the small 
division under Gen. VV^orth, who entered there on the 22d at noon, to 
be entirely deserted, save by Col. Velasquez, who had been left to 
deliver it into their hands. The splendid city of Puebla yielded on 
the advance of Worth, on the ir)th of May; and there can be no 
doubt, that if Gen. Scott had continued his march immediately to the 
capital, he would have taken it without even a show of resistance. 
Indeed, nothing else was expected by the citizens of the city of Mex- 
ico, who for several days after, were thrown continually into the 
utmost terror, by reports that the Americans were coming. 

The wretched survivors of the Mexican army, who reached die 
city, less than two thousand in number, brought with them, besides 
their woful, shattered appearance, the most exaggerated accounts of 
American prowess. Alarm and confusion reigned supreme; so com- 
pletely had everything been staked upon the result of the battle of 



484 ORGANIZATION OF GUERRILLA FORCES. 

Cerro Gordo, tliat now all were completely overwhelmed by the defeat. 
There was no army remaining, no artillery, no munitions of war, no 
generals. 

Santa Anna escaped to the town of Orizaba, wnth a wretched rem- 
nant of fugitives ; but to his great joy and relief, the American general 
advanced no further than Puebla, and reduced his forces, by discharg- 
ing and sending home seven of his regiments — those who had enlisted 
for only twelve months, whose time as yet had not expired — a portion 
of his best troops. 

The government of Mexico, tliough astounded by their reverses, yet 
made renewed efforts to stay the invaders. Referring to the history of 
Spain, their mother country, and noting tlie success of the guerilla, or 
partizan method of warfare there, when employed against the French 
in Napoleon's wars, they determined to rouse the whole country to 
form guerrilla bands, under partizan leaders, who should emulate one 
another in their endeavors to annoy the invaders in every possible 
manner. Santa Anna had before, when retreating from Buena Vista, 
commenced this scheme, and forwarded orders to the governors of 
states, prefectos of districts, and alcaldes of towns, to rapidly orga- 
nise guerrilla bands, taking for this purpose all the available popula- 
tion. But not until after this battle, did the new cause receive much 
impetus. It was now determined on with enthusiasm. Gen. Salas 
was among the most conspicuous of its supporters ; he issuing the 
following proclamation a few days after the battle of Cerro Gordo, 
and while Santa Anna was yet a fugitive at Orizaba. 

PROCLAMATION. 

The citizen, Mariana Salas, General of Brigade, and Colonel of the Regiment 
Hidalgo, to my fellow citizens ; 

" My friends : The present moment is the most proper to excite the public spirit, and 
form a nation of men truly free. When an enemy triumphs by his union, to rob us 
of our dearest interests, there is nothing more sure and more certain, than to vanquish 
him by valor and constancy. 

« For this end, I have obtained permission to raise a Guerrilla Corps, with which to 
attack and destroy the invaders, in every manner imaginable. Ilie conduct of the 
enemy, contrary both to humanity and natural rights, authorises us to pursue him with- 
out pity (mixericordia). Wah without pity, and death ! will be the motto of the 
guerrilla warfare of vengeance. Therefore, I invite all my fellow citizens, especially 
my brave subordinates, to unite at General Headquarters, to enroll themselves, from 
nine until three in the afternoon, so that it may be organised in the present week. 
[Signed] JOSE MARIANA SALAS." 

These bodies of guerrillas were now rapidly formed. The follow- 
ing articles, issued by D. Miguel Orbe, the curate, or principal priest 



CAPTURE OF TUSPAN. 485 

of Huauchinango, who, with many of his brotherhood, now hiid aside 
the "sword of the spirit" for more tangible weapons, the sabre, lance, 
and escopeta, are given as the terms upon which they were enrolled : 

"He who subscribes this, pledges himself to the five following 
articles : 

" 1st. To die defending and avenging Our Lady of Guadalupe, and 
the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman religion which he professes. 

"2d. To defend the integrity and independence of his nation. 

"3d. To pursue, with death, the Anglo Americans, their followers, 
defenders or allies, whoever they may be. 

" 4th. To abjure and detest the personal party, of whoever have 
destroyed their country. 

" 5th. To respect all legitimate authority, whatever it may be, in 
every thing not repugnant to the preceding articles. 

" These five articles shall be the fundamental rule of the guerrilla, 
and shall be denominated. La Insurgente Gudalupana.^'' 

Leaving now the disturbed capital, the shattered army, the forming 
guerrilla bands, and the alarmed population, let us turn our attention 
back to some time previous to this, reviewing the movements of the 
American fleet, and of the disastrous operations of defense in Northern 
Mexico. 

The port of Tuspan, situated about midway between Tampico and 
Vera Cruz, was now the only one of any note on the Gulf of Mex- 
ico, which had not fallen into the hands of the invaders ; but this 
did not long remain an exception. Gen. Cos, whose name has been 
identified in connection with the invasions of Texas, now commanded 
the division of the Mexican army which were posted at and near 
this coast. His headquarters were at Tuspan ; he had, at this time, 
near a thousand troops as a garrison for the place, the fortifications of 
which had been much improved and strengthened, by mounting the 
pieces of artillery which had been taken from the U. S. brig of war 
Truxton, of 10 guns, which had been wrecked at the mouth of Tus- 
pan river, on the 15lli of August previous. 

On the 17th of April, the same day upon which the battle ol'Cerro 
Gordo commenced, the American fleet, consisting of the frigate R;iri- 
tan, the sloops of war Albany, Germantown, John Adams, and Decatur, 
the steam frigate Mississippi, three smaller stcau)ers, the Spitfire, 
Vixen, and Scourge, three schooners, the Bonita, Petrel, and Reefer, 
and three bomb vessels, the Etna, Vesuvius, and Hecla, appeared ofi' 
the mouth of Tuspan river ; and ihc following day, the 18th, the town, 
about five miles up the river, was attacked by the small steamers, the 
gun schooners, and heavy barges from the larger vessels. The forts 



486 CAPTURE OF ALYAKADO AND FLACOTALPAM. 

of La Pania, La Palma Sola, on tlie river, and the hospital fort in the 
town were captured, with eight pieces of artillery, three vessels and 
three launches. Gen. Cos and his forces precipitately retreated to- 
ward the interior. Of the guns found at Tuspan, all those which had 
helouged to the wrecked brig were carried off by the American fleet, 
the others were destroyed, while the town remained in possession, 
iield by one of the vessels before it. The ports on the Gulf of Mex- 
ico were now all closed to the Mexicans. The American fleet was 
stationed along the coast, and kept up a vigorous blockade. 

A little before this time, on the 31st of March, 1847, the spirits of 
tlie Mexican nation had been still further depressed, by the fall of 
Alvarado, the next port to the southeast of Vera Cruz, and also of the 
town o( Flacotalpam, situated on the Alvarado river, above the former 
place. T'hese towns, with their artillery, munitions of war, &c., 
surrendered to the United States' steamer of war Scourge, which, 
appearing off the bar of Alvarado river, on the night of the 30th, 
opened a brisk and effective fire upon the forts there, and renewed 
it upon the following morning, until a flag of truce was shown, 
when the steamer entered, passed up to the town, and the com- 
mander, Lieut. Charles G. Hunter, received the surrender of the 
place ; immediately pursued a fleet of small vessels loaded with muni- 
tions of war, which were endeavoring to escape up the river," captured 
and burned two of them, and arriving at the town of Flacotalpam, 
summoned it, and received its surrender. The loss of Alvarado was 
more severely felt by the people of Mexico, because it had already 
twice successfully resisted the attacks of the whole American fleet ; 
which, at this very moment, under Commodore Perry, was on its way 
to make a third attack, supported by a large division of the American 
army then on its march, under Gen. Quitman, fiom Vera Cruz. This 
large force of army and navy, arrived at the place shortly after its 
surrender. Alvarado w'as an important town, and the loss of that, pre- 
ceded by Vera Cruz, and so soon followed by that of Tuspan, entirely 
stopped tlie passage of all supplies by this coast to the interior. 

While these events had been transpiring in the southern and eastern 
parts of Mexico, the people of the states of Durango and Zacatecas 
were excessively alarmed by the approach of the victorious column 
of the enemy, which under Col. Doniphan, had twice defeated the 
Mexican forces, and for a considerable period established themselves 
in the wealthy city of Chihuahua. As they now moved to the south- 
ward to join Gen. Wool's colunm at Sallillo, every town on their 
route was deserted by the Mexican forces, and Durango was believed 



CAPITUl.ATIOxV OF CALIFORiMAN FORCES. 487 

to be especially the next object of their attack; but much to the relief 
of the inhabitants, they passed on, leaving the state entirely. 

Disaster to the Mexican nation had rapidly followed disaster. In 
California they perceived with pain, that the efforts of the population 
to throw off the authority of their conquerors, had been destroyed by 
their complete defeat at Los Angelos, and that they had been forced 
to treat with their victors under Lieut. Col. Fremont, agreeing to 
retire peaceably to their homes, giving up their arms and artillery, 
and pledging themselves not again to partake in hostilities against the 
United States during the war. The nation of Mexico learned the 
determination of their victorious enemy to take permanently from 
them the valuable province of Upper California, as they had already 
taken that of New Mexico. This determination was rendered 
apparent to them by the following proclamation of Gen. Kearney, the 
military commander of the forces of the United States in California. 

The Californians had excited this formidable insurrection, as 
has been mentioned in the former pages of this work, but had been 
defeated by Gen. Kearney in the action of San Pasqual, on the 
morning of Dec. 6th, 1846, and again, under their commander Gen. 
Jose Ma. Flores, were defeated by the combined forces of Commo- 
dore Stockton and Gen. Kearney, under the command of tlie latter 
at San Gabriel, on Jan. 8lh, 1847, after a hard fight of one hour and 
a half, and were yet again defeated by the same force at Mesa, on 
the following day, Jan. 9th. Genl's. Flores and Pico, after their 
gallant effort to regain possession of their province from their inva- 
ders, having thus entirely failed therein, and learning that another 
body of the enemy, the California battalion under Lieut. Col. Fremont, 
four hundred strong, were near by on their march from the valley 
of Sacramento ; and also that still another body equally strontr, the 
Mormon battalion under Col. Cooke, were close at hand, after the 
long march of two thousand miles across the desert, which route Gen. 
Kearney himself had traveled ; and that yet another regiment, one 
thousand strong, under Col. Stevenson, were on their way by sea from 
the United States, and would shortly arrive, seeing no hope for success, 
determined to save themselves, by capitulation of their forces ; and 
immediately offered this to Gen. Kearney and Commodore Stockton ; 
but these commanders would not receive such capitulation, on the 
ground that those thus making it had already broken their parole. 
Upon this repulse, the Mexican leaders rapidly advanced to meet Col. 
Fremc^nt, and sending to him flags of truce and offers of capitulation, 
he, ignorant of the refusal of tlie other commanders, accepted their 
offers, and entered into articles of capitulation witli liiem. 



488 PROCLAMATION OF GEN. KEARNEY. 

Thus ended the resistance to the invading forces of the United 
States in Upper California, and the whole province was now quietly 
in possession of that power. 

PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. 

The President of the United States having devolved upon the undersigned the civil 
government of Cahforiiia, he enters upon the discharge of his duties witli an ardent 
desire to promote as far as possible the interests of the country and well being of its 
inhabitants. 

The undersigned is instructed by the President to respect and to protect the reli- 
gious institutions of California, to take care that the religious rights of its inhabitants 
are secured in the most ample manner, since the Constitution of the United States 
allows to every individual the privilege of worshiping his Creator in whatever man- 
ner his conscience may dictate. 

The undersigned is also instructed to protect the persons and property of the quiet 
and peaceable inhabitants of the country, against each and every enemy, whether 
foreign or domestic ; and now assuring the Californians that his inclinations, no less 
than his duty, demand the fulfillment of these instructions, he invites them to use their 
best efforts to preserve order and tranquillity, to promote harmony and concord, and to 
maintain the authority and elHcacy of the laws. 

It is the desire and intention of the United States to procure for California as 
speedily as possible, a free Government like that of their own territories, and they will 
very soon invite the inhabitants to exercise the rights of free citizens in the choice of 
their own representatives, who may enact such laws as they deem best adapted to their 
intere-sts and well being. But until this takes i)lace, the laws actually in existence, 
which are not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, will continue in 
force until they are revoked by competent authority ; and persons in the exercise of 
public employments will for the present remain in them, provided they swear to main- 
tain the said Constitution and faithfully to discharge their duties. 

The undersigned by these presents absolves all the inhabitants of California from any 
further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, and regards them as citizens of the 
United States. Those who remain quiet and peaceable will be respected and protected 
in their rights ; but should any one take up arms against the Government of this ter- 
ritory, or join such as do so, or instigate others to do so — all these he will regard as 
enemies, and they will be treated as such. 

When Mexico involved the United States in war, the latter had not time to hivite 
the Californians to join their standard as friends, but found themselves compelled to 
take possession of the countrj-, to prevent its falling into the hands of some European 
power. In doing this, there is no doubt that some excesses, some unauthorized acts 
were committed by persons in the service of the United States, and that in consequence 
some of the inhabitants have sustained losses in Iheir property. These losses shall 
be duly investigated, and those who are entitled to indemnification shall receive it. 

For many years California has suffered great domestic convulsions ; from civil wars 
like poisoned fountains, have flowed calamity and pestilence over this beautiful region. 
These fountains are now dried up; the sUirs and stripes now float over California, and 
as long as the sun shall shed its light they will continue to wave over her, and over 
tlie natives of the country, and over those who shall seek a domicil in her bosom ; 



GEN. KEARNEY'S PROCLAMATION. 489 

and under the protection of this flag agriculture must advance, and the arts and sciences 
will flourish like seed ni a rich and fertile soil. 

Americans and Californians ! from henceforth one people. Let us then indulge 
one desire, one hope ; let that be for the peace and tranquillity of our country. Let 
us unite like brothers, and mutually strive for the improvement and advancement of 
this our beautiful country, which within a short period cannot fail to be not only beauti- 
ful, but also prosperous and happy. 

Given at Monterey, capital of California, this 1st day of March, in the year of 
our Lord 1847, and of the Independence of the United States the 7 1st. 

S. W. KEARNEY, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 

and Governor of California. 

All these tidings of evil were now pouring in upon the Mexican 
government and people. Only one short year had elapsed since their 
numerous and powerful army in all its display of martial pomp, with 
fluttering banners, and triumphant music, had moved to the Rio Grande, 
with determination and all confidence to repress the advances of 
iheir northern enemy, and to re-conquer that fair and extensive coun- 
try of Texas, which had been wrested from them. In this year 
reverse upon reverse, defeat upon defeat, had befallen them. At Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Brazito, Sacramento, San Diego, 
Bucna Vista, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and in a multitude of smaller 
actions, tlieir armies had been defeated, their citizens slaughtered. 
Instead of the banners of the Mexican army moving in triumph on 
the banks of the Sabine, as they had fondly hoped, after traversing 
and subjugating Texas, and then being ready to inflict punishment 
upon the United States, that army had scarcely entered the confines of 
Texas, before they were driven from thence with defeat, slaughter, and 
disgrace. Their victors, in turn, had become their invaders; not only 
confirmed in the loss of Texas, they beheld within a few months, the 
extensive and valuable province of New Mexico in the hands of the 
Americans, not again to be returned to them ; they saw too, following 
this loss, that of the fair province of California. They beheld all their 
generals defeated in their utmost exertions to hold their ground against 
their active foes; their northern cities in possession of the enemy, and 
the fairest provinces of the east traversed by the invading armies. 
Their every sea-port, fort, castle, and strong hold on one coast of Mexico 
was now in possession of the armies of the United States: while the 
powerful fleets of the latter, both in the gulf and Pacific, held in check 
every succor offered, and spread consternation on the coasts when- 
ever their white sails appeared on the horizon. The famous castle 
of St. Juan De UUoa, and the strong and rich city of Vera Cruz, the 
keys to the gulf, and the entrances to their capital, they saw but the 
depots of the enemy's materiel, the landing place of their forces. 



490 RESOLUTIONS OF MEXICAN CONGRESS. 

But to tho credit of the Mexican nation he it said, that at this dark 
hour they thoujrht not of peace, l)ut determined .still more stron<^ly to re- 
sist to tlie hist what tliey regarded as opj)ression. Immediately after 
the disastrous haltlc of Cerro Gordo, on the 20th of April, in the midst 
of the alarm and confusion incident therefrom, the Mexican Congress, 
in extraordinary session, passed the following resolutions unanimously. 

'I'he soverclKii coiistitiUMit MiJxican Congress, in use of tlic lull jxiwcrs willi wliich 
the iiihiiliitiiiils of the repulilic luive invested it for tlie sacred oiyect of saving its 
nationality, and as a failhtul interjiretcr of the firni determination with which its 
constituents are decided to carry on tlie war which the United States are now making 
on tho nation, without desisting on account of any kinil of reverses ; and considering 
that under these circumstances the first puhlic necessity is, that of preserving a center 
of union, to direct the national defense with all the energy that circumstances demand, 
and to avoid even the danger of a revolutionary power arising, which might dissolve 
the national union, destroy its institutions, or consent to the dismemherment of its 
territory, has determined to decret- as follows : 

Art. 1. — The supreme government of the union is authorized to dictate all Jieces- 
sary measur('s for the purpose of carrying on the war, delL'nding the nationality of the 
republic, and saving the federal re[)ulilican form of government under which the nation 
is constituted. 

Art. 2. — Tiic preceding article docs not authorize the Executive to make a i)cace 
with the United States, conclude a negotiation with foreign powers, nor dispose, in 
whole or in part, of the territory of tlie republic. 

Art. \l. Neither does it authorize him to make contracts of colonization, impose 

punishments, nor confer any civil or military employments other than those whose 
appointments are expressly entrusted to him by the constitution. 

yl,/, 4. Every agn-ement or treaty shall be null and void which may be made 

between the United States and any authority whatever, which, subverting tlie actual 
order of affairs, should set aside or take the place of the legally established supreme 
powers of the union. 

Art. 5.— Every individual is declared a traitor, let him be a private person, or public 
functionary, who, cither in his private capacity or invested with any authority, incom- 
petent or of revolutionary origin, may enter into treaties with the United States of 

America. 

Art. f). In the event that the actual Congress finds it impossible to continue its 

sessions, a i)ermanent coimnittee shall be immediately installed, to be composed of the 
oldest individuals then found present of each deputation. 

Art. 7. 'I'his conunittce, in the ab.sencc of Congress, shall perform the duties of a 

government council ; shall appoint, in case of vacancy, the person who is to take 
charge temporarily of the executive powers of the republic; shall regulate the 
counting and taking of the votes in the election of a new President: shall give jios- 
Bcssion to the elected jhtsou, and shall call together the national re[)resentati()n. 

Art. 8. — The powers which the present decree confers on the government, shall 
cease as soon as the war is concluded. 



CHAPTER II. 

•Santa Anna's flight — His accounts of the battle — Joined at Orizaba, by Gen. Leon 
— Efllijits of the President yulwtitutw, A nay a, to fortify tlie Capital — Decree of 
amnesty Ibr political offenses — Liljerty of the press restricted — (Jity of Mexico 
declared in a state of siege — Disposition for defense — Proclamation of G(jvernor 
Trigucros — Santa Anna marches for Puebla — His attack at Aiuazoque, upon Gen. 
Worth — His repulse — Puebla taken possession of by the Americans — 8anla Anna 
arrives near the city of Mexico — Dissatisfaction of the popula<^e — He tenders his 
resignation — Is admitted with his Army, and assumes the direction of the 
government. 

Gen. Santa Anna, in flying from the Hital rout of Cerro (iordo 
with six of his aids, striking off to the left of the main road 
through the chapparal, was joined by about twenty-five fugitive lancer.s, 
and arrived at tiie hacienda of Tusamapa, on the night of the 18th; 
the next day he continued his flight to Orizaba. He was now in 
one of tiiose unfortunate extremes of whicfi his whole life has been 
so proUfic ; — reduced repeatedly to the last extremity, merely to rise 
again. — One day at the head of a powerful army, the next a fugitive 
with hardly a corporal's guard attending, and with the whoUi ap- 
parent voice of the nation united against him. Again we see him 
with larger armies than before ; — men, arms, munitions of war, and 
money, raised so suddenly by his indomitable and almost incredi- 
ble energy, that he seems several times ahnost to have executed the 
vain boast of Pompey of old, "that he had but to stamp his foot upon 
the ground, and an army would rise." By no means scrupulous in 
his employment of methods, in directing and governing a nation pro- 
verbial for dishonesty and chicanery, his actions to this end will not 
bear the test of justice or honor, but nevertheless have always been 
effectual to his purpose. Never despairing himself, he could infuse 
into his routed troops the same confidence. Having deceived the 
populace scores of times, they were still willing to be deceived again. 
The slightest temporjiry advantage that he g;iined was immedi- 
ately transmitted to the capital, and magnified into great importance, 
while his severe reverses were covered over, and accounted for with 
such plausibility of false reasoning, and coloring of fiicts, that the 

(491) 



492 GEN. SANTA ANNA AT ORIZABA. 

nation having only access to these, believed him still, in the main, 
victorious. 

From the battlefield of Cerro Gordo, on the evening of the 17th, 
after the advance of the enemy, under Gen. Twiggs, had taken the 
hiffht of Telegrafo, Santa Anna writes a voluminous account of the 
action to President Anaya, claiming a victory, by reason of the main 
works not being attacked ; making it appear that he had entirely re- 
pulsed the enemy from these. This dispatcii was carried with all 
haste to the capital, and there produced its intended effect, of rejoic- 
ing and enthusiasm among the fickle populace. 

From Orizaba, on the 22d of April, he writes the account of the 
action of the 18th, in which he magnifies the American force to dou- 
ble its actual strength, and reduces his own to one half its real comple- 
ment. He finds fault with Gen. Canalizo for retreating, and blames 
part of his troops for their inexperience, &c. ; but says not a word of 
his terrible loss of officers and men ; promises to perform great ex- 
ploits upon and against the rear of the enemy, and endeavors to excite 
still more strongly, the patriotism of the people. 

He was joined at Orizaba, by Gen. D. Antonio Leon, with a fresh 
force of two thousand troops. He here also gave his full sanction 
to the movements of Salas and others, in forming guerrilla bands, 
and issued commissions to the officers. Being much in want of 
money, he exacted a loan of sixteen thousand dollars from the citi- 
zens of Orizaba, and made an energetic appeal to President Anaya 
for more funds, and also arms. This demand was partially granted by 
the president substitute ; not, however, until after a difficulty with 
Gen. Bravo, the military commander of the city of Mexico and sur- 
rounding federal district ; this general not being willing to spare 
anything from the city, which might contribute to its defiMise against 
the enemy. 

On the 27th, fortifications were commenced rapidly at the city gates. 
On the same day, President Anaya issued a proclamation granting a 
full and unconditional pardon and amnesty, for all political offenses, 
and urged upon the people of Mexico the necessity of uniting against 
the common foe, now threatening tlic capital. Contributions of private 
individuals were given liberally toward the casting of cannon ; and 
in many places the bells of the churches were presented by the 
ecclesiastical to the civil power, for this purpose ; but, of the vast 
wealth of gold and silver possessed by the church, these dignitaries re- 
fused to yield any portion towards relieving the pressing emergencies 
of the government. 

President Anaya and Gen. Bravo, seconded by Don Ignacio Tri- 



MEASURES FOR DEFENSE OF THE CAPITAL. 41] 

gucros, the govornor of iho city, acted with great energy in their meas- 
ures for placing the capital in a proper condition of defense. On the 
5th of May, the city was declared to be in a state of siege; and, as a 
main object of the government was to give full confidence to the peo- 
ple of their ability to defend it, and as some of the papers of the day 
had criticised severely the conduct of Santa Anna, Ampudia, Canalizo, 
Morales, Landero, Minon, Heredia, Garcia Conde, and in fact, every 
leader, whose fortune it had been to encounter the everywhere conquer- 
ing invaders, a decree was issued at this time by the president substi- 
tute, whicli, after declaring that the abuse of the liberty of the press 
had been scandalous, that the papers had promoted desertions, distrust 
and disunion in the army, and in the minds of the citizens, and the 
enemy had tbus been indirectly assisted, and the defense of the coun- 
try been rendered every day more difficult ; he forbade the insertion 
thereafter, in any paper, of any remark or communication calculated 
to cast censure upon the supreme authorities, or in any way to throw 
the least discredit upon the Mexican army, or upon its commanders; 
and positively prohibited the press from engaging in any political or 
military discussions whatever ; and these regulations to continue while 
the capital remained in a state of siege. 

The press, by this order, was completely muzzled, and the people 
no longer heard of disasters, which from every quarter assailed by the 
Americans, were coming upon them ; but, on the contrary, were con- 
tinually encouraged and gratified, by the most false and extravagant 
accounts of Mexican prowess and success, on the one hand, and 
American loss and disaster on the other. 

On the 7th, three decrees were issued by Gen. Bravo : one order- 
ing, under severe penalties for noncompliance, all persons havino- in 
their possession, as private property, arms of any description, to pro- 
duce and give them up for the use of the nation, taking therefor a cer- 
tificate of value, receivable in payment of public dues. 

The second decree ordered, that every person owning or possessing 
more than one horse, should place them at the disposal of the govern- 
ment, receiving for their value a like certificate ; no person, on any 
consideration being allowed to keep but one. These decrees ofl'ered 
liberal rewards to any one who should inform upon any other Avho 
failed to comply with the provisions thereof. 

The third decree was the more important, as it forced the whole 
available population into the ranks of defense, and showed the spirit 
and resolution with which the government of Mexico were determined 
to resist in their most important stronghold, the attack of the Ameri- 
cans. It will be seen, that no one was excused from active service. 



494 DECREES OF GEN, BRAVO. 

This decree was made known by Governor Don Ignacio Trigueros, in 
the form of the following 

PROCLAMATION. 

HEADaUARTEUS, AllMY OF THE CeNTER, ' 

Mexico, May 6, 1847. 

The Federal District of this State being declared in a state of siege, it becomes my 

duty to comply with the 6th article of the law of the 26th of April last ; and, in order 

to meet the anxious wishes of the patriotic citizens of this city to arm themselves to 

repel our unjust invaders, I hereby, in confonnity with the powers in me vested, ordain : 

1. That all Mexican citizens, of the age of fifteen to sixty years, residing in the 
Federal District, will present themselves for enrollment at the place in their quarter or 
section which may be designated by the municipal authorities. 

2. The Selectmen of the city, and those who in the other settlements of the district 
exercise their functions, will, on receipt of this decree, designate in their respective 
quarters or sections the place where the enrollment is to be made ; presiding over them 
cither in person or by substitutes. 

3. The same functionaries will, within six days from the publication of this decree, 
deliver unto the chief of the staff a register, containing in regular order the age, pro- 
fession or occupation, residence, and whether single or married, of all Mexicans of the 
ages of fifteen to sixty years, who may reside in their quarter or section. 

4. In conformity with these returns, the persons enlisted will be divided into two 
classes — one class containing the unmarried and the widowers without children, from 
the age of fifteen to forty years ; and the other class the married men and the widowers 
having family, and also bachelors fi-om forty to sixty years. 

5. From those enlisted will be formed as many battalions of each class as there may 
be in each quarter or section. Should any remain over, they may be fomied into one 
or more companies or squadrons, according to their number. 

6. The force of these battalions is to be in accordance with the law of the 12th of 
June, 1846. 

7. The General-in-Chief will appoint the person wiio, during the state of siege in 
which this district may find itself, shall command the battalions and companies formed 
by this decree, and whose functions shall cease as soon as the siege is raised. 

8. Every enhsted citizen shall receive a certificate proving his enlistment, signed by 
the commander of the corps to wliich he may be attached, and by the Selectmen of 
his quarter or section, and countersigned by the chief of the staff of the General-in- 
Chief. 

9. Of the bodies which may be formed in each quarter or section there will be 
created, according to their number, one or more brigades, to be commanded by a person 
to be designated by the General-in-Chief. 

10. All citizens will attend daily drill, and will perform such other duties as may 
be ordered, under the penalties established by law. 

11. Whoever, at the approach of the enemy, the beat of the drum, or at the sound 
of any other signal calling to the common defense, shall not present himself at the 
place to which he may be ordered, or shall show cowardice, lukewarmness or indiffer- 
ence, or shall abandon the post in which he may be placed as guard or sentinel, fail in 
respect to his superiors, or commit any other military crime, shall be punished accord- 
ing to the ordinances. 



SANTA ANNA'S ATTACK [TON GHN. WOKJ'H. 495 

12. Whoevor shall, in order to escape enlist luent, coneeul his age, either by cxag- 
gcrdtini; or ilimiiiishing it, shall be looked upon as a traitor, and will be punished 
accordingly. 

13. The authority or person who shall in any manner cover or aid in concealing 
the crime specified in the preceding article, will be subject to the same j)unishinent. 

14. Whoever shall hide himself and shall not have the certilicate mentioned in 
Article No. 8, will be enrolled in the regular army. 

15. The bodies created by the decree are destined solely and exclusively to repel 
the invaders and to maintain order, and will render services to that effect according to 
the law of 2Gth April last. 

16. All who are enrolled and perform active duties as members of the National 
Guard, or who may be serving in garrison, will be exempt from serving in these bodies. 

17. Owners of hotels, inns and boarding houses, must make a daily return of the 
persons who enter their houses, and of those who leave, under the penalties established 
by law. 

All of which I conununicate to your Excellency for speedy publication in this capital 
and settlements in this district. God and Liberty. NICOLAS BR.WO. 

To Do.v luxAcio Tiuoi EKos, Govcmor of the Federal District. 

S;iiit:i Anna liaving in tlio .short period of twenty days, again raised 
a respcftable force, consisting of about tliree thousand men, on the 6tii 
of Mav commenced his marcli for the city of Puebht, where lie arrived 
on the 11th. On the r2lh, while engaged in the distribution of sup- 
plies to his soldiers, the information was brought to him of the ad- 
vance of a division of Americans, under Gen. Worth, followed by 
another, under Gen. Quitman. He immediately marched out, and at 
Amazoque attacked Worth, but being too weak to eflect his object, 
he retired with the loss of about ninety killed and wounded. Leav- 
ing then the city of Puebla to the invaders, and unable to resist the 
torrent setting against him, he continued his retreat to San Martin Tex- 
m:ducan, on the road toward the capital, and thence to Ayotla, twenty 
miles from Mexico ; here he was compelled to halt on account of 
the murmurings of the populace, who supposed by this movement, 
that the intention of the commander-in-chief was to defend the capi- 
tal w^ithin its own walls; a measure, which, if adopted, they said, 
would bring destruction on their families and property. 

Halting here, therefore, on the 18th of May he dispatched to the 
minister of war, within the city, a long communication, in which he 
referred to these murmurs, recapitulated his own actions in behalf of 
the nation since his return from exile, complained of the distrust and 
enmity exerted toward himself personally, declared his willingness to 
yield up his fortune and his life, if needed, to save the nation, &c. 
He recommended most energetically, that every measure be taken for 
the defense of the city ; and finally, directed the minister to lay this 
communication before Anaya, the president substitute, and if his views 



496 SANTA ANNA ENTERS THE CAPITAL. 

should not be recognised by that officer, further directed, that his 
resignation of the offices of first magistrate of the Republic, and com- 
mander-in-chief of the army, be immediately tendered, and his pass- 
ports forwarded to him. 

On the 18di, Don Manuel Maria de Sandoval, the minister of war, 
replies to him, that his excellency Anaya coincided with his views^ 
and invited him to take formal possession of the capital with his army 
— which then was immediately done. 



CHAPTER in. 

Appiioach of the Mexican Army to the city of Mexico — Murmurs of the Populace — 
Tender of Resignation by Santa Anna — Non-acceptance of the same by the Mexi- 
can Congress — CoaUtion of the separate States — Withdrawal of the Revenues of 
the General Government — Dictatorial powers of the President — Deposition and im- 
prisonment of opposing Generals — Progress of the Fortifications — Arrival at the 
Capital of the force of Gen, Alvarez — Renewal of restrictions on the Press — Silence 
of the Peace Party — Mediation of the English Minister, and the reception by Santa 
Anna, of Propositions for Peace from the United States — Action of Congress thereon 
— Convocation of a Council of Army Officers — Their Decision — Gen. Valencia's 
force arrives from San Luis Potosi. 

The army entered the city upon the next day, the 20th; Santa Anna 
assumed the supreme command, and Anaya retired into privacy. The 
first act of the president's renewed administration was to repeal the 
decree of restrictions, which Aniya had placed upon the liberty of the 
press. The next was, on the 21st, for the president and members of 
congress to swear to observe the new constitution, founded on that of 
1824. Much parade was exhibited to the populace on this occasion; 
the congress, in procession, accompanied by the commander-in-chief, 
and an imposing escort, passed through the principal streets of the city 
to the cathedral, where a "Te Deum" was sung, to give due solemnity 
to the act. The president then proceeded to apply all his energies to 
the requisite preparations for the defense of the capital ; and in a few 
days, these endeavors, in addition to the previous ones of Anaya, had 
placed an army of ten thousand men at his control, with their numbers 
continually increasing. One body of these, on whom he relied much, 
was composed entirely of deserters from the Americans, who had 
been induced, by the promises of his proclam-itions, to come over to 
the cause of Mexico. 

But, while this success attended the extraordinary efforts of the 
commander-in-chief, another difficulty arose, in the renewed murmurs 
of the populace, with respect to the burdens imposed upon them in 
constructing the formidable series of defenses, which he commenced 
at the Penon, eight miles from the city, Mexicalzingo, in the same 
neighl)orliood, and other places. A strong party, too, within the city, 
at heart tired of war, secretly opposed his eflbrts. 

32 (497) 



498 SANTA ANNA AGAIN TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION. 

On the 20th, either weary of his arduous duties, or wishing more 
firmly to establit^h himself (and judging IVoiu his actions and charac- 
ter, most probably the latlcr), he tenders to congress, in a long and 
ably written document, his resignation of ihe ofiicos of president of 
the Rejniblic, and commander-in-chief of the army. In this commu- 
nication, he takes care, as usual, to recapitulate his services since his 
return, laments his condition, but more particularly that of his coun- 
try, congratulates himself upon having in so short a time, placed the 
capital in a state of defense suiticient to withstand all the force the 
enemy could then bring against it, and declares that he has done his 
duty, and that now forever he renounces public life. This resignation 
was immediately followed by that of Gen. Bravo, the commander of 
the troops in the city, and also by that of Gen. Rincon. Gen. Al- 
monte was arrested, on a charge of having a correspondence with the 
enemy ; and Gen. Arista, then under arrest, and on his trial before 
a court martial, for the surrender of Malamoras, a year previous, was 
set at liberty, to assist in the preparations for defense, while all pro- 
ceedings against him were suspended. 

The Mexican congress, however, as Santa Anna probably had fore- 
seen, would not accept his resignation at this juncture ; all saw in 
him as the commander, their only hope of resisting the invaders in 
their attack soon expected on the city, and insisted upon his retaining 
the direction of aflairs and the command of the army. And thus, 
this extraordinary man, had, in less than six weeks after the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, not only regained his former standing with the people, 
but placed his power more securely than before — raised an army 
nearly equal to his first, and had replaced his losses with a success 
which would have appeared at first view wholly impossible. 

But the Americans did not move against the capital as soon as its 
alarmed inhabitants anticipated. Several weeks elapsed, before they 
prepared to leave the beautiful and populous city of Puebla, in their 
onward march. Every moment of this time was improved by the 
commander-in-chief of the Mexicans, his soldiers, and the populace, to 
add to the strenijth of the fortifications. A spirit of entliusiasm was 
aroused, and they performed the labor and daily drills with pleasure, 
and gained confidence, that in iIh; approaching struggles for the pos- 
session of the city, they should be victorious. 

But at this important crisis, many of the stales of the republic 
sesmed only anxious to preserve themselves from the impending dan- 
ger, and withdrew their aid from the central government. A coalition 
was formed at Lagos, on June 6lh, by deputies from the States of Ja- 
lisco, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Mexico, and Queretero, and the sec- 



COALiriOX OF STATED. 499 

tion of Aj^uas Calientos, claiming to be a state, by wbicb these 
coinbinod for mutual defense ; opposed themselves dei-idedly to peace, 
but united tlieir efl'orls to act independently of the central <rov('rnment 
in repelling the invaders, although to that government they promised 
assistance. To em!)arras« the supreme executive still more, while 
Zacatecas, a powerful state, refused to furnish a single battalion of sol- 
diers, or the least pecuniary aid for the defense of the capital of the 
republic, that of Jalisco proceeded another step, in diverting tlie reve- 
nues arising from the tobacco monopoly within her limits, from the 
central government, and appropriating it to herself. Anarchy now 
prevailed in the Mexican Republic to a greater extent than ever had 
been known before. 

The war was still carried on, if predatory attacks on the trains, and 
small parties of the enemy, could be dignified by the name of warfare, 
by partisan leaders commanding small forces, and responsil)le to no 
higher authority, and actuated by nought save the hope of [)lunder; 
and even these operations were confined to the immediate vicinity of 
the national road, from Vera Cruz to Puebla. The inhabitants of 
other sections of country regarded every movement with apathy, 
talked loudly of glory, opposed all their influence to any peace with 
the enemy, but did not lift a finger to assist the struggling, tottering gov- 
ernment, now unable to inforce its decrees, save at the capital, 'J'he 
large revenue derived from the duties on exportation of the precious 
metals from the mining districts of Zacatecas, was wholly witlulrawn, 
1-y the faitldess officers applying it to their own use, or permitting, for 
want of power or disposition to prevent, the metals to be smuggled 
ofT on the western coast, in the most public manner, by English ships. 
Revenues from the custom houses of the seaports and frontier, had 
been for some time at an end. But. deprived of all these resources, sur- 
rounded by faithless friends and treacherous subordinates. Gen. Santa 
Anna roused all his energies, and directed all his power to the one 
purpose — that of saving the city of Mexico from the possession of the 
Americans. 

At this time, he was clothed with nearly the authority of a dictator. 
Fiy the decree of congress of the 20th of April (see page 490), 
which was construed to its utmost latitude, all the restriction placed 
upon the absolute power of the President, consisted in these items — 
Having no authority to conclude a peace with the United States ; — 
none to conclude negotiations with foreign powers; — none to alienate 
any portion of the territory of the republic, or to enter into contracis for 
the colonization of any part thereof; — none to impose any punishment, 
or to confer any new civil or military employment, other than tjiosa 



500 DICTATORIAL POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

recognized by the constitution. — These restrictions were more nominal 
than otherwise. Santa Anna made a vigorous use of the extraordi- 
nary powers conferred upon him. On the 2d of June, he withdrew 
his tender of resignation to congress, alledging as his reasons therefor, 
that when he oflered it, the enemy were nut advancing from Puebla, 
but that, now having heard of his resignation, tliey were about to do 
so; — :ul(Hng also, that a multitude of appUcalioiis had poured in 
upon him from all classes of the population, beseeching him to continue 
to hold the reins of government, as the only person capable of saving 
the republic in the present emergency. 

He was now emphatically "the government," the master mind to 
whoso dictates the congress, populace and army, bowed. He formed 
a new cabinet of Tornel, Rejon, Ibarra and Baranda; — but these 
he retained a few days only, and changed his ministers in rapid 
succession. Congress now throwing the whole burden of defense 
upon him, rarely found a quorum (seventy-one) of its members in 
their places, by which to do business, — and indeed, such a quorum 
was only found when the President wished a measure passed to 
aid him in the execution of his authority or seat him more firmly 
in power. In a few days after the withdrawal of his resignation, 
he, finding that he was not the successful candidate in the election 
for President, which had been held by the difierent states on the 15th 
of May, and the votes for which were to have been counted by con- 
gress on the 15th of June, by a singular stroke of policy induced 
the passage of a decree through that body postponing the counting of 
the votes until January, 1848; — thus giving him full authority until 
that time.* In his gigantic schemes for the defense of the city, in 
which he seemed almost to create materiel, he spared for himself and 
his subordinate officers no time or labor. Those of the latter whose 
efforts did not second promptly the directions of his energetic mind, 
were removed, imprisoned, or banished. Among those thus proscribed 
within the space of a few days, were Generals Bravo, Rincon, Mihon, 
Canal izo, Urrea, Garcia Conde, Requena, Morales, Almonte, Ampu- 
dia and Arista. The latter was sent to close confinement in the castle 
of Acapulco, on the Pacific, Ampudia was banished from the capital 



* The result of this election had been as follows : Aguas Calicntes, Sonora, Sinatoa 
and Tamaulipas, voted for Gen. Almonte. Querctaro, Oajaca and Michoacan, 
for Gen. Herrera. Mexico, Guanajuato and San Louis Potosi, voted for Senor Angel 
Trias. Puebla, for Sr. Ocampo. Chiapas, for Sr. Anaya. Chihuahua, for Gen. 
Santa .^nna. Durango, for Sr. Elorriaga. Zacatecas voted for Sr. Lafragua. Jalisco, 
Coahuila, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Yucatan, New Leon, the Califomias, and New 
Mexico, did not vote. 



ARRIVAL OF GEN. ALVAREZ. 501 

to Cuernavacii, while Rincon, whose offense, like that of Bravo, con- 
sisted in expressing his opinion that a defense of the capital against 
the Americans could terminate only in disaster and defeat — hy chang- 
ing his expressions, recovered the favor of the President, and was re- 
stored to his command. Bravo by following the same course was 
also restored. The places of those of this list of general officers, as 
well as many inferior ones, who did not in like manner recover their 
standing, were filled by others anxious to execute the mandates of the 
President, and dependent on him, many of them having newly given 
commissions; eight hundred and thirty-five of these being issued 
in the course of a single month from the 24th of May. 

Governor Trigueros resigned the direction of affairs within the city, 
and his place was quickly filled by the President, who appointed 
Ignacio Gutierez, governor of Mexico, in his stead. That general 
also was directed to take charge of the fortifications already mentioned 
as erecting by command of Santa Anna, at the Penon, a hill within 
the limits of the federal district, and which commanded the neck of 
land between lakes Texcuco and Xochilmilco, over which came the 
road from Puebla, the main thoroughfare to the city. Beside the fortifi- 
cations at the Peilon and Mcxicalzingo, another hill on the same neck, 
other strong works were erecting at Chalco, Ayotla, Guadalupe, Cha- 
pultepec, Molino del Rey, Churubusco, and all other assailable points 
on and at the termination of the long causeways that enter the city in 
various directions. These fortifications, under the command of Gene- 
rals Gaona, Martinez, Polomina, Anaya, the former president-substitute, 
and other officers, were constructed by the combined efforts of the 
citizens and of the troops ; overlooked by the untiring vigilance of 
Santa Anna himself. To labor on these defenses, the lepcros, or 
immense beggarly population of the city, were driven at the point of 
the bayonet Upon these works the artillery was rapidly mounted, 
of which already seventy pieces had arrived from Acapulco, San Luis 
Potosi, and other places ; while from the extra bells of the city many 
more had been cast at Chapultepec and at Toluca ; — every foundry in 
and about the city was compelled, night and day, to continue the 
manufacture of shot and shell. 

On the 6th of June the command of General Alvarez, who before 
this time had been for years nearly independent of the general govern- 
ment, in the soudi of Mexico, arrived at the capital widi a force of 
nearly eight tliousand men. These, with the troops that liad arrived 
from other places, swelled the army of Santa Anna to upward of 
thirty thousand. In this number were included many officers, and large 
bodies of soldiers, who had been taken prisoners by tlie Americans at 



502 LlBliKTV OF THE PKESS AGAIN UE8TRICTED. 

Vera Cruz and Corro Goriio ; and liberated, on their parole given, 
not to serve aj^ain during the war. This parole tliey were compelled 
to break, ami were forced into the ranks. This niinil)er included also 
the CiiiARDiA Nacional (National Guard), or rather, militia of the city, 
whicli, witii oilier Iiattalions ol" tlie same nature, I'ornied rallier more 
than one third the force. With the arms that had been collected in the 
city, and those procured by vigorous efforts from other sections, a 
sufficient supply was obtained for the equipment of this body : con- 
siderable sums of money, too, had been obtained by tlie commander. 

It will be remembered, Uiat one of the first acts of Santa Anna, 
when reassuming the direction of government, after his return from 
the battle of Cerro Gordo, was to annul the decree of Anaya, which 
restricted the liberty of the press; but now his course was altered; 
the papers of the city iiad reviewed the battle of Cerro Gordo in 
a severe and condemnatory manner ; and had also spoken of the 
president's banquet, given to his friends on his birth-day, the i;Uh, in 
terms not complimentary to him, as a patriot, in a suffering commu- 
nity ; they had also loudly condemned his arbitrary proceeding with 
regard to the generals iniprisoned or banished from the capital ; but 
more immediately, had severely reviewed his action in creating and 
promoting so many officers, for their participation in the former battles, 
pronounced by them to be disgraceful and ruinous. Santa Anna, 
finding their influence strong against him, yielded to tlieir remon- 
strances, in behalf of the imprisoned generals, and on the 14ih June 
issued a decree granling amnesty for all political offenses ; but having 
yielded this point, finding them still more bold in their opposition, on 
the 18th he arrested several of the editors, and packed them off, .suns 
ceremonie, to Acapulco and San Luis Potosi; he then established a 
severe censorship over the whole press, forbidding die appearance 
of any article reflecting upon the generals, or on the army itself, or 
on the measures of government; or any items upon the progress of 
the formidable fortifications constructing, as the knowledge contained 
in these became immediately known to tlie Americans. Finding 
these restrictions not sufficiently to answer his purpose, on the 11th 
of July he supj)resse(] the issuing of all the papers in tlie capital, save 
the '■'JJiario del Gohitrno,'''' which pul)lished only such matter as was 
agreeable to himself. 

Having thus arbitrarily silenced all opposition, Santa Ann;i turned 
again his undivided attention to the defenses, while not an opponent 
in tlie city dared to open his lips against any measure adopted. The 
governor of the state of Puebla remonstrated against the act of (xene- 
ral Canalizo's taking military jurisdiction over the civil power of that 



KEJECTION OF AMERICAN PROPOSITIONS OF PEACE. 503 

state ; l)ut, acting under the command of Santa Anna, and supported 
by Oeneral Alvarez, who with part of his force had moved as a corps 
of observation upon tlie enemy, Canalizo paid no attention to the 
governor's remonstrance. 'I'he peace party, which, while the Presi- 
dent had allowed the liberty of the press, had increased in numbers, 
and had boldly spoken their sentiments through their paper, El Ra- 
zonador, now Avere heard from no more. The slightest intimation of 
such an opinion consigned him who entertained it to a prison. 

In this state were now the city of Mexico and the Mexican army, 
expecting an attack from the invaders, on or about the last of that 
month (June), when a new turn was given to their prospects by the 
submittal to the President, through the English minister, of proposi- 
tions of peace from the government of the United States, with the 
information, also, that a commissioner, N. P. Trist, clothed with all 
necessary powers to conclude such a peace, was in the camp of Gen. 
Scott, at the city of Puel)la, and awaited the action of the Mexican 
government. As this was beyond the province of Santa Anna, it was 
referred to the action of the Mexican congress, but was for many 
days untouched for want of a quorum. This quorum of members 
of congress could not be assembled, to act upon the propositions of 
peace until the 13th of July ; when, seventy-four members having 
met, the subject was laid before them. They, after a short consulta- 
tion, being determined to throw all the responsibility on Santa Anna, 
passed a resolution to this effect — that it belonged to the executive, 
under the constitution, to receive all ministers, and other public 
agents, and to make treaties of peace, alliances, &c. ; that the func- 
tions of congress were limited to the approving or disapproving of 
these treaties, when made, and that, consequently, until a treaty 
should be submitted in due form, congress could take no constitutional 
action on the subject. 

Having passed this resolution, the members of congress individually 
withdrew ; nor could they again, at that time, be collected by the 
President, who, finding himself in an awkward dilemma, issued a 
proclamation, stating to the people the action of congress in the matter, 
and complaining that his own hands were tied by the decree of 20th 
April, which not only positively forbade him from making a treaty 
with the Americans, but declared any person a traitor who should do 
so; — he recommended the repeal of this decree, stating, that as the letter 
of the American minister was courteous, the dignity of the Mexi- 
can nation required that an answer should be given to it, &;c. This 
proclamation had no effect ; tlie members of congress had scattered, 
determined to take no part of the responsibility thus resting on Santa 



504 REJECTION OF AMERICAN TKOPO-ri'IONS OF PEACE, 

Anna, for peace or war. Ho, however, to .shift some part of tlie same 
from himself, called a council of general officers of the army, and 
placed the subject before them. This council, thus without precedent 
called upon to act upon such a momentous subject, decided " that it 
was inexpedient to enter into negotiations for peace, until another 
opportunity should be offered to Mexico to retrieve her fortunes in 
the field." 

The commander-in-chief, adopting their decision, in fault of one 
from congress, the constitutional authority, dismissed informally the 
propositions of peace, which had been before him for near a month. 
In a few days after this decision, on the 3Ist of July, his force was 
increased by the arrival of General Valencia from San Luis, with five 
thousand troops of the line and thirty -six pieces of artillery, all eager for 
the approaching contest. The army now at the city amounted to thirty- 
two thousand men, well armed and equipped ; of these over twenty 
thousand were regular troops : in position, he had one hundred and 
seventeen pieces of artillery. Valencia, who had thus opportunely 
arrived, had left San Luis Potosi, with his division, upon his own 
responsibility. He had succeeded General Villamil in command of 
the army stationed there to prevent the southward movement of the 
North American force, then at Saltillo and Monteiey, under General 
Taylor. Finding no probability of the latter general advancing, Va- 
lencia, with his force, moved on to the capital, where, shortly after 
his arrival, he found work to do. But, leaving the consideration of 
the city of Mexico, now fully prepared for the expected attack of the 
Americans, let us turn to the operations, in the mean time, of the 
guerrillas, on the route from Vera Cruz to Puebla ; the capture of 
Tobasco, &c., all happening before the time to which the termination 
of this chapter has brought us. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Movements of Guerrilla Forces — Padre Jarauta's attack upon the Train under CoL 
Mcintosh — Americans reinforced bj' Gen. Cadwallader — Americans evacuate Jala- 
pa — Defeat of Guerrillas, at La Hoya — Capture of Tobasco — Expected movement 
of Gen. Taylor toward San laiis Potosi — Release of Prisoners by Santa Anna- 
Sent to Tampico — Peceived by Gen. Garay — Attempted Rescue — Defeat, &c. 

Supported by General Alvarez, near Puebla, the guerrilla forces, 
under Padre Jarauta, an enthusiastic priest, and Juan Cliimaco Rebol- 
ledo, an active partisan leader from Jalapa, made vigorous attacks 
upon all detached parties of the enemy, and hara.ssed every train 
and command on its way from the coast, at Vera Cruz, to join the 
headquarters of the Americans at Puebla. The road, as it passed 
around the bases of the mountains, or through deep and lonely glens 
and mountain-passes, offered, at various points, favorable situations 
for ambuscades and surprises. Aware, from their friends in Vera 
Cruz, of the time when any train of the enemy would start from the 
latter place, also of its strength and contents, their preparations were 
made accordingly. 

On tlie 6th of June, Padre Jarauta attacked a large train, tinder 
the command of Col. M'Intosh, carrying several hundred thousand 
dollars in specie, with an escort of five hundred infantry and dragoons, 
at a point about twenty miles from Vera Cruz, and six from the National 
Bridge. The result of this attack was highly satisfactory to the guerril- 
las. They drove back the advance of the enemy — attacked the main 
body vigorously both in front and Hank — captured twenty-eight wagons, 
two hundred pack-mules, and seventy-five thousand dollars worth of 
army stores, with a loss to the Americans of forty killed and wounded, 
while the guerrillas suflVred but little. The shattered train collected 
itself together, and would have fallen entirely into their hands, but for 
the rapid march of another body of the enemy to their aid, under 
General Cadwallader, five hundred strong, with two pieces of artil- 
lery, from the gates of Vera Cruz. That general, taking the command 
of the Americans, Jarauta and ReboUedo were disappointed in their 
efforts to make any further serious impression upon them, not so 
much from the fact of their reinforced .-^trengtli, for tlie guerrilla forco 

( 505 ) 



506 ACTIONS OF GUERRILLA FORCES. 

were more than correspondinolv increased by the accession of all the 
available population of tliat whoh^ section of country, but by the able 
arrangements of CadwalUider, and the firm front of the Americans, 
now with their confidence restored. 

Jarauta's vexation was further increased at this lime, by the escape 
of a minor train of the enemy, not two hundred strong, which unbe- 
known to liim was advancing from the opposite (hrection, going 
to Vera Cruz. This little train, aware of its danger, pushed on in the 
night, crossed the national bridge widi a loss of only five men, and 
arrived safely in Mcintosh's camp, immediately before the arrival of 
Cadwallader from the opposite course. 

Driving off tlie pack mules, securing part of Uie plunder from the 
captured wagons, and destroying the latter, the guerrillas fell back, and 
made a strong stand at the bights of the national bridge, where, after 
a lapse of four days, on June 10th, they were vigorously attacked in 
their turn by Cadwallader's forces. The defense of the hight was 
firm ; but the invaders, by die assistance of their artillery, cleared the 
ground, with a loss to the Mexicans of forty men. Jarauta retreated, 
and again attacked Cadwallader near Cerro Gordo; but, overcoming all 
obstacles, the A merican com mander, fighting foot by foot, readied Jalapa, 
and joined his forces to the garrison there. Although thus disap- 
pointed. Padre Jarauta did not relax his exertions; but stimulating his 
men with the hope of complete victory, and encouraging them by a 
recital of die partial success which had thus attended them, and ex- 
horting them, even by their religious enthusiasm, to give no quarter 
to the heretical invaders, he made immediate preparations for another 
assault, provided now as he was, with captured ammunition, arms, 
and stores. 

On the 17th of June, another force of the Americans, under Maj. 
Gen. Pillow, of 1800 men, with six field pieces and one hundred and 
twenty-five wagons, issued from the gates of Vera Ouz, on Uieir 
march to ttie interior. This column suflered much from the heat of 
the sun in toiling over the sand hills in the neighl)orliood of Vera 
Cruz, and when over them, were immediately assaulted by the guer- 
rillas in waiting. 

Jarauta kept up this attack daily upon the heavy column, causing it 
much loss, until at Calera, nine miles beycmd the national bridge, he 
assaulted it with all liis strength, but was repulsed with a loss of nearly 
one hundred men : he continued to harass the enemy, until the col- 
umn had passed Cerro Gordo, and arrived near Jalapa. Here leaving 
the enemy to be attacked on the road between Jalapa and Perote by 
Gen. Alvarez, this indefatigable military priest returned to the vicinity 



CAPTURE OF T0BA8C0. 507 

of Vera Cruz, and visiting the country above Alvarado, was near 
being cajiturecl by the American governor of that place. Capt. Mayo, 
hearing of him, had promptly ascended the river in the U. S. ste;uncr 
of war Petrita, with a force, in pursuit; but the wily priest escaped. 

Gen. Scott having directed the concentration of his forces, the city 
of Jalapa was evacuated by the American garrison of twelve hundred 
men, under Col. Childs, on .Tune 17th. That oflicer uniting his force 
to that of Gen. Cadwallader, the column, then two thousand two hun- 
dred strong, with six pieces of artillery, marclied for Perote, surprised 
and routed on its march the guerrilla forces at the pass of La Hoya, 
on the 20th. The guerrillas fought well, but were also exposed to an 
attack of a force of Americans, from the casde of Perote, in their 
rear ; they were completely routed, and Cadwallader's command ar- 
rived without loss at Perote, where it remained until joined by that of 
Gen. Pillow, which passed through Jalapa after its evacuation. The 
two bodies united, were of such strength, that no resistance was made 
to their further advance to Puebla. 

On the 16th, the city of Tobasco, against which an unsuccessful 
attempt had before been made, fell into the hands of the invaders ; 
being taken by the naval force under Commodore Perry, who, with a 
squadron, composed of the war steamers Spitfire, Scorpion, Vixen, 
and Scourge, the bomb vessels Etna, Vesuvius, and Stromboli, brig 
Washington, and schooner Bonita, appeared ofl'the mouth of Tobasco 
river on the 15th, and proceeded up, arriving before the town on the 
16th, after having landed below a thousand seamen and marines, 
with ten pieces of artillery. The Mexican forces retreated after one 
volley, though the forts kept up the fire upon the steamers for some 
time afterward. Much pains had been taken to place Tobasco in a 
proper state of defense ; the points for which had been admirably 
chosen, but were not defended with gallantry. Under the regulations 
of a tarifl' established by themselves, the Americans opened this, 
together with the other captured seaports, to the commerce of the 
world. 

Tobasco, however, after being occupied for six weeks by tlie Ameri- 
cans, was abandoned on account of its unhealthiness. Every port on 
the gulf, from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Yucatan, was before 
this in possession of the enemy; while those on the Pacific were 
under a vigorous blockade. 

The American army in the northern provinces, under Gen. Taylor, 
was daily expected to move to the southward, to join that of Gen. 
Scott, taking in its route the populous city of San I^uis Potosi. To 
oppose such a movement the Mexican army of the north was 



508 GE.\. VILLAMK. AND GEN. 'J'AVl.OR. 

stationed ii\ tlio city of San Luis Potosi, and Gen. Valencia ap- 
pointed to the command, which he assumed on the 5th of June. — 
Gen. Mora y Villaniil, who had hefore lieen in the command of this 
army, was ordered to the capital. — A siiort, pithy, and not very 
pleasant correspondence had been carried on l)y tlie latter <)eneral 
with Gen. Taylor; in which he, on May lOtli, by authority of 
President Anaya, under a flag of truce, incpiires of General Taylor, 
" Whether his (Taylor's) wishes and instructions are to prosecute the 
w^ar in conformity to the laws of nations, and as war is conducted by 
civilized nations, or as barl)arous tribes carry it on among themselves ; 
it being understood, that Mexico is disposed and resolved to accept the 
manner which is proposed or carried out, and awaits the result, in 
order to dictate its measures accordingly." 

To this singular and impertinent inquiry, the blufl* old American 
general immediately responded, in a communication dated May 19th, 
by expressing his surprise at the interrogation, declining to give a 
direct answer to a question so insulting — refers to his own acts, and 
those of his army^ — speaks of the single massacre of Mexicans as 
having been immediately preceded by one of those cold-blooded acts 
of assassination of American soldiers, which had followed each other 
successively, from the time the American troops first entered upon the 
soil of Mexico, and finally, throws back the threat contained in the 
close of Villamil's letter, &c. 

The government of .Mexico had neglected to perform its stipulations 
entered into between Santa Aima and Gen. Taylor after the l)attle of 
Buena Vista, with regard to the exchange of prisoners, and had left 
those prisoners in confinement, in the city of Mexico, until the pres- 
ent month June, — allhough more than 10,()t)() Mexican prisoners had, 
in the mean time, been liberated by Gen. Scott, after the capitulation 
of Vera Cruz :md the battle of Cerro Gordo. Now, while it was 
determined to lil)erate these American prisoners, by a singular act of 
Mexican faith, the government released the soldiers alone, keeping 
the ofiiccrs still in captivity. On the Sth of June, these soldiers, 
one hundred aiul eighty in number, were sent from the city toward 
Tami)ico undv.r charge of a Mexican colonel, and about twenty lancers. 
Although tlu! American army was nearer at Piiehla, this long route to 
Tampico was selected, rallier than dclixer tlu'ui to swell the ranks of 
Gen. Scott. 'J'heir being sent tovvanl Tampico, led afterwards to an en- 
gagement between the Mexican forces near that city and a part of the 
American garrison, the result of which, being unlavorable to the 
Americans, who were driven back into the city with a loss of one 
fourth their number, greatly elevated the sj)irils of the Mexican nation. 



BATTLE (JF JILIJIJ'J'J.A. 50 -j* 

being Ijla/oiicd at tin; capital as a j^rcat victory achieved over the inva- 
ders. — 'i'lio Ijody of prisoners after twelve days niandi arriv(,d at, 
Iluejulla, one hundred and twenty miles in the interior frinn Tanipico. 
Here they were delivered over to (««;n. (iaray, in command ol' the 
Mexican forces th(;re. — That ofFicer detained them, treat(;d them 
kindly, and sent hack to the capital for instructions concerjiing them. 
Impatient of this delay, eifrht of them escaped, and after a variety of 
adventures arrived in Tampico. Jjcarning that the rejuainder were 
thus detained, (aA. Gales, commander of thai city, immediately 
dispatched a force of one hundred and twt'iily men, with a field piece, 
under command of Col. De Russey, to rescue ihem. 'J'his Quixotic 
expedition, leaving 'I'ampico on I2th July, was allovved by Gen. 
Garay to advance four days march, until, at liio Calahoso, at a 
point midway between Huejulla and 'I'ancayoca, eight miles from 
each, he had his numerous troops stationed in ambush, and suddenly 
attacked the Am(;ricans in front ; (juickly followed that by another 
attack on their flanks and their rear, — capturing all their provision 
train, and surrounding them. — They fought desperately for an iiour, 
when their ammunition for the field piece being exhausted and 
their situation perilous, they forced their way back to Tancayoca, 
fired upon the whole way ; — into this village they entered, their pro- 
gress disputed at every step. Here they supplied themselves with 
a Utile ammunition, and in the night, during a heavy storm, silently 
continued their retreat, thus escaping another parly in their lear, by 
which they must have been captured. 'I'hey were overtaken and 
harass(;d all that day and the succeeding one by the troops of Ga- 
ray — wiio then would inevitably have made prisoners ol the whole 
of them but for the arrival of a reinforcement of one liundred and 
sixty Americans, with two pieces of artillery, ammunition, and pro- 
visions. This reinforcement had been sent on a sieam'.r, by the 
American commander at Tampico, on the first news of tiieir reverses. 
In this expedition, the American soldiers fought with their accustomed 
bravery; but the extreme folly with which it had Ijeen planned by the 
commander at Tampico, and the unmilitary style in which it was 
carried out l)y its commanding officer, rendered it an object of derision 
to the Mexicans, and of great annoyance to the invaders. 



CHAPTER V. 

\i'pnoAru of Iho Americans from Puehia — Preparations for defense — Battle of Con- 
treras — Defeat of Valencia — Battle of Chnrutiusco — Defeat of Rincon — The Armis- 
tice — Congress retires to Toluca — Political Parties — Puros — Motlcrados — Monar- 
quistas — Attack on American train — Renewal of hostilities — Review of actions of 
Santa Anna — Battle of Molino del Rey — Its results — Destruction in both armies 
— Scott's movements in feigning attack on the southern gates of Mexico — Can- 
nonade of Chapultepec — Battle of Chapultepec — Results — Defeat of Bravo — 
Santa Anna outgeneralled — Attack on the gates of Bclcn and San (Josmc — Cap- 
ital evacuated by night — Surrender of the Capital to the American army — Imme- 
diate insurrection of the people — Recapitulation of the actions and losses of the 
American army. 

All expectations that the terms of Trist, the commissioner of the 
United States, would be accepted by the Mexican government, having 
vanished, the Americans made immediate preparations for an advance 
from the city of Puebla. On the arrival there of a body of reinforce- 
ments, two thousand five hundred strong, from Vera Cruz, under Gen. 
Pierce, Scott set forward on August 6th. This advance of the enemy 
was immediately made known, by express, to Santa Anna; and, ac- 
cording to previous arrangement, the information was communicated 
to tlic Mexican army and people in the city of Mexico, by tlio dis- 
charge of the heavy alarm-gun in the IMaza in front of the Cathedral 
and palace. This piece of artillery was discharged at twelve o'clock 
on the 9th, and as its report, circling out from the Plaza, echoed and 
reverberated through the streets and along the squares of the immense 
city, it was answered by innumerable shouts of exultation even, that the 
Americans were at hand, and that the long-expected contest would 
now take place. Instantaneously all business, all trade, and every me- 
chanical operation ceased ; the professional man and tlie artisan, the 
gentleman and the beggar, dropping every other consideration, seized 
upon dieir arms ; the roll of drums called out all the regular troops, 
and, as rapidly column after column displayed itself in brilliant uni- 
form, and line equipments, their great nuinher and regular aj)pearance 
reflected ixjufidence from one corps to another, and among the whole 
mass of the citizens. The whole body of thirty-two thousand men 
were under arms in a short lime; but only part of them left the city 
(510) 



PREPARATIONS OF THE MEXICANS. 511 

on that (lay, tlu; 9tli, for tlio linos of tlefciisc, \vhi(;]i, now fiiiislieil and 
admirably constructed, were from eight to nine miles from the capital. 
On the 10th, no business of any description was attempted, in the 
city; not a shop, save those at which provisions and coal were sold, 
was allowed to be opened — every one was engaged in the martial 
scene, so imposing, that for many years the people of that city, 
famed fur military display, had not seen so gorgeous a pageant. Bat- 
talion after battalion of troops were reviewed, and passing under the 
critical eye of Santa Anna, with loud music, and a proud step, swept 
on to the city gates. The veterans of San Luis Potosi, who had 
fought at Buena Vista, now under General Valencia, challenged the 
admiration of all for their soldierly bearing. Many different corps, 
which had met the Americans at Palo Alto, Monterey, Vera Cruz, and 
Cerro Gordo, though those fatal defeats were impressed upon their 
remembrances, now, having confidence in their position, their strong 
lines of defense and their numbers, were eager to meet the invaders 
again. The troops heretofore untried, who never as yet had seen Ins 
^^incricanos, were loud in their expressions of the effect of their 
prowess, yet to be exerted. The Pinfos, or soutliern Indians, under 
Alvarez, who for years had been regular cavalry soldiers, now in their 
rude style, well equipped and mounted, pressed along in clattering 
columns, with gay flags on their forest of lances, only fearful that they 
should not find, among the smaller force of the Americans, opportu- 
nity for each to exercise his deeds of valor. But when the four 
battalions of Victoria, Hidalgo, Independence, and Bravo, a body 
two thousand strong, wheeled in the large Plaza, and with martial 
step passed in review of the commander-in-chief, surrounded by 
his glittering staff, the excitement and tumultuous enthusiasm was 
at its hight; — from these troops much was expected. They were 
known by the name of Polkas — they were genUemen soldiers — 
from the ranks of higher life alone were they drawn ; and the Cas- 
tilian blood warmed in their checks, at the remembrance of the 
deeds of their ancestors, famous in histcry. To see and to en- 
courage all the other troops, assembled to defend the capital, as in 
deep and serried columns they moved for llie (jai'^s, filling the long 
streets with their steady succeeding lines of infantry, accompanied 
by the heavy tread of the close bodies of cavalry, and the rumbling 
wheels of the heavy cannon, and wagons of ammunition, the ladies 
had crowded in thousands to their balconies and windows, waved 
their white handkerchiefs and extended their hands to the soldiers, 
and given many smiles of approbation to the officers prancing along 
below — but when the Polkas appeared, no effort was too much for the 



512 ADVANCE OF THE AMERICAN ARMY. 

ladios to make, giving their smiles, tlicir happiest looks of encour- 
agement and recognition, from the lialconies, housetops and windows 
unto ilieir brave fathers, brothers, lovers, and ac(jiiaintances in the 
ranks below. Flowers and tokens were showered down upon them, 
and happy smiles of pride met them at every glance ; every soldier 
was recognised, and he determined to render himself illustrious in the 
approaching conflict. The bells rang cheerily, as the columns, already 
victorious in antic^ipatioii, moved out to the lines. These four bat- 
talions of the PoIkdH were ordered to the fortifications at the Pefion, 
on the national road, by which the Americans were advancing, as the 
strength of the battle was expected there. They were supported by 
the brigade of Gen. Perez; in all, seven thousand men, and twenty- 
five cannon ; while the other brigades were stationed at Mexicalzingo, 
Churulnisco, Chapultepec, and the other defenses — save the splendid 
force of Gen. Valencia's veterans, which, five thousand strong, with 
a fine park of twenty-three pieces of brass artillery, supported by 
two thousand of the best of Gen. Alvarez's cavalry, was held as a 
movable reserve, ready to act on any part of the line of defense that 
hould be most severely attacked by the American columns ; and the 
remainder of Alvarez's cavalry were ordered to march and keep near 
the rear of the advancing Americans, to fall upon them in their re- 
treat. All the other divi.^ions and brigades were stationed in the for- 
tified lines. 

On the 10th, from the fortified hights of Penon could be seen, in 
the distance, the approaching column of the advance of the American 
army. This army, in four columns, was ten thousand five hundred 
strong, with one thousand wagons, and a large park of artillery. 
Approaching near the hights, so strongly fortified before them, the 
American engineers could be seen in rapid movement, taking surveys 
of the works, while the army halted at Ayotla, awaiting the result of 
these reconnoissances. On the 12th the second column of the Ame- 
ricans arrived, followed, on the 13th, by another, and the rear was 
brought up by the fourth column, on Saturday, the 14th. During 
these days the American engineers, supported by bodies of cavalry, 
continued their observations ; and although they were seen, the Mexi- 
can forces, confident of success in any attack, disturbed them not, 
but remained quiedy within their strong lines. 

On the night of Sunday, the 15th, Gen. Santa Anna received posi- 
tive assurance, from his scouts, that the Americans, having recon- 
noitered the route to the southward, around the lake of Xochilmilco, 
had that afternoon sent a strong advance, under Gen. Worth, in that 
direction. Seeing that the object of the invaders was to complete the 



AMKRiCA.N-i AIV, ANCE TO HA.\ A LfiCSI IM:. :,\''. 

circuit of ifi': 1 ikf, ;ui'l rijipro.'ird tfic fily iilonrr tlic wcslcrii Ijiitik of" 
thJH waU-r, hy ill'- vill;i((fH f^f San Aijj.njHtiri(; aji'i San Aritrinio; and 
thai iiotwitlifilandinrA the main fore; of th'' Am'^ricanH vva- hiill (:n- 
carnp';'! Iifioro tfi'i J'f;non, llic atta/;k of tlial rortificatiori wa:i in r'-ality 
ahan'lori'd Ity llifni, li'; irnnirdiat'ily altcr'-'l hi:-i arraii/.'<;rfi<-(jif to r/icftt 
this ri'-'.v (Icsivn of tho orir-niy. Karly, \.\i<.i<:i'')ri-, on lh»; i/ioruiiif.' 
of Monday, th« JOlh itiKt., Iif; ordcrf;d tti<; four battalioiiH of J'olkaw, 
mf;nlion<'d, to rnarcli rapidly by ih'; n»;ar(;r rout^; around tin; norllif^rn 
bank of lli'; lake and forestall llif; invadfjr.s in tli<:ir <;Xp';cl<;d o'-<'up;jt,ion 
of San AuiiuhUui:, takinj/ with lliern many of lli'; pi(;f;f;H of artill<.-rv 
already mounted at the PeTion. He f^rdererl Cifrri. I'erez'H brij/ade to 
fnar<:li to Churuhuneo, in the rear of San Auj/uKline and San Antonio, 
ant) on the seeond defenne, where were a fort at the t;rid;/e or cauHe- 
way, and a ffjrtified chureh of f.m;at Htrenj:!th. — He directed (/en. Va- 
lencia's hrij^ade, with itH accompanying^ artillery and cavalry, to mr^ve 
tfjward the left also, to meet any diversion of tfie Americans. On 
'i'uesday, the 17th, tlie battalions passing.' through ChurubuHco and 
San Antonio, arrived at the villaj/e of San Autrustine, but upon exami- 
nation of tlie place, it was found impracticable to make there a huf> 
cessful stand ; — conseqiiently, Santa Anna ordered the force to fall 
back three miles on the causeway to San Anf/jnio, the latter pla/;e 
being nine miles from thfj city. Followinff close upon tlic rear of the 
retirinrr Mexican force, and skirmishing.' witfi them, came into San 
AuffUBtine, the American advance, which had now arrived in sif/ht of 
the domes and spires of the " Halls of the .Montezuma;-;," v/ithout 
experiencing any loss of moment ; having been, however, slif/htly 
attacked on this day and the day previous, by the .Mexican cavalry, 
who, as has been mentioned, had been detached to operate on their 
rear. 

On Wednesday morning, the 10th, the advance of American" pro- 
ceeded up the causeway towarri the capita!, but in corrn'ng near San 
.Antonio, were received with a discharge of artillery that sU^pped tlieir 
progress. — They t/'>ok possession of the hacienda of Carrera, under 
the fire of San .Antonio, while their engineers recofinoiU;red the 
immense field of rugged volcanic sU^^ne which lay U» their left, or 
Pt'lrc4!a1, which had always been considered Ia' tfie .Mej^icans, im- 
passable trj troops, on ■^cc/mnX of it« sharp surface, rou^h precipiceii, 
and deep chasms. Notwithstanding this belief, the force of Gen. 
Valencia, 7,000 strong, had been stationed on the hill of Maj/dalena, 
on the western side of this Ptdcf/rnl, ric/^r the vilbge of Contreras. 
When the advance parties of the Americans appeared in view, in 
searf-h of a road by which ^';ey might turn the strong fortifieatioos 



514 COMMENCEMENT OF THE BATTLE OF CONTRERAS. 

of San Antonio, Valencia, at 2 P. M., opened upon them a heavy 
fire from his twcnty-tliree pieces of artillery, and continued it until 
evenino-. The fire was returned from three mountain howitzers. 
The American general taking position on one of llie volcanic hills, 
directed the operations, and !)y liis increase of force showing Valencia 
that his intention was, if possible, to force the position, that general 
immediately sent an Aid to Santa Anna at San Antonio, requesting 
reinforcements. — Santa Anna moved late in the afternoon to his sup- 
port, with Gen. Perez's brigade, and other corps, amounting to five 
thousand men, with diree pieces of light artillery. He encountered 
the Americans, drawn up near the camp of Valencia, but strange to 
say, did not attack them — firing only a half dozen shots from the 
fieldpicces upon the enemy, posted between himself and Valencia, he 
sent around them Aids with orders to the latter, to abandon his posi- 
tion, and fall back to San Angel on the second line of defense. To 
this Valencia sent a positive refusal, stating that his position was ad- 
vantageous, his entrenchments strong, and his troops full of ardor to 
defeat the enemy. Gen. Santa Anna, however, on the approach of 
night, repeated his orders, and then fell back with his reinforce- 
ments to San Angel, four mdes. Here meeting with another heavy 
detachment under Gen. Rangel, who had been sent from the city, 
by Gen. Lombardini, upon the demand of Valencia, Santa Anna 
halted these, and ordered the brigade of Gen. Perez to its former posi- 
tion at Churubusco, in front of the main body of the Americans, while 
he reinforced the position of San Antonio, immediately in front of 
Churubusco, under command of Gen. Bravo, leaving Valencia's force 
unsupported. That officer continued his heavy cannonade upon 
the enemy, and at night distributed honors and promotions among 
his oflicers and troops, who eagerly awaited the approach of the 
next day to recommence their fight. Valencia posted strong pickets 
around his position, especially guarding with two hundred horse 
the mouth of a ravine which led from the front round to the rear 
of his camp. Such then was the positions of the armies on the night 
of the 19th. While the Mexican army was thus lying upon the field, 
and at their fortifications, within the city the Divine Host or Sacra- 
mental Bread was exposed upon the altars of the churches, and was 
bowed before by the thousands of inhabitants remaining there, the old 
men, the decrepit and sick, and the whole female population, all pray- 
ing devoudy for the success of dieir army. The feeling within the city 
was deep and intense, but hope and confidence were in the ascendant. 
The night was dark and a heavy rain added to its gloom. Owing 
to this, Valencia's pickets were withdrawn, and the American general, 



BATTLE OF CONTRERAS. 515 

Smith, in command of the forces near Contreras, during the storm 
silently proceeded up the ravine and phiced his troops upon either 
flank and in the rear of Valencia; and in the morniuir. a little after 
sunri?e, he made a furious attack with musketry and the bayonet 
upon all sides of Valencia's position ; and after a severe contest of 
seventeen minutes, completely routed him, with a terrible destruction 
of killed and wounded ; — taking all the fine park of artillery and the 
ammunition — dispersing the cavalry completely — securing over a 
thousand prisoners ; and most of those who escaped, did so by disen- 
cumbering themselves of their arms, which were thickly strewed all 
along the road. This defeat of Valencia was equally unexpected to 
both Santa Anna and Scott — the latter being at the time on his 
march with Worth's and Quitman's divisions, to reinforce Gen. 
Smith ; and the former also en route, with Gen. Rangel's brigade 
and other corps, to the support of Valencia. — Counter orders now 
were issued to both these supporting and opposing forces. Scott 
ordered his reinforcements back to attack San Antonio, while Santa 
Anna, sending Rangel's brigade into the city, ordered Gen. Bravo to 
fall back from San Antonio and make a firm stand at the strong works 
of Churubusco. 

Such was the disastrous result of the battle of Contreras, in which 
the Mexicans had been put to complete rout, and the first prestige of 
defeat spread through the army. Santa Anna having ordered Valencia 
to be shot, wherever found, that general presented himself no more 
before his commander-in-chief; but passing through Mexico, contin- 
ued his retreat with a few attendants, to Toluca. Valencia had been 
ambitious of defeating the enemy by himself, and proof against him 
was nearly positive, that his eyes were fixed upon possession of the 
power enjoyed by Santa Anna. Hence his disobedience of the orders 
of that general, and the apathy of the latter in affording him assistance 
on the evening of the 19th, is accounted for. From the city of Mex- 
ico the rising smoke had been seen, and the reports of the artillery 
heard in the distance, but the exulting hopes of the inhabitants were 
dampened shortly after by the tidings of defeat. 

The object of Gen. Santa Anna now being to repulse the Ameri- 
cans in their advance, at the strong works of Churubusco, for this pur- 
pose he ordered Gen. Rangel's command again from the city, and with 
them, the brigade of Gen. Perez, the battalions of Bravo and Independ- 
ence, under Gen. Bravo, which had fallen back from San Antonio, and 
a body of Alvarez's cavalry, the battalion of American deserters, 
and part of the fugitives from Valencia's rout — comprised in all, 
over twenty thousand men. 



516 BATTLE OF ClIUKUBUSCO. 

At ChurubiiHco, four miles iVoiii the cily gales, tlie river, of tlie same 
name, runs eastwardly toward the lake, and partakes of the nature of 
a canal, having .straight and level banks; at the point crossed by the 
causeway which leads to San Augustine, was a heavy stone bridge, at 
the extremity of which, toward the advancing foe, a strong fort was 
erected. Three hundred yards to tlie west of this fort, the massive 
church, or rather convent of San Pablo was situated, in the hamlet 
of Churubusco ; while, in the rear of this and of the convent, and still 
further westwardly, was a large stone hacienda ; this was the right of 
the Mexican aruiy — the left extended down tlie canal. 

The victorious American column, direct from the battle at Contre- 
ras, advanced through Coyoacan, to the attack of these works, wliile 
the body which had been held in check by Gen. Bravo, at San Anto- 
nio, seeing that post about to be evacuated, pressed the retreating col- 
umn so closely, that they captured some of the artillery, and took part 
of Alvarez's troop prisoners ; and, keeping up with the column in its 
retreat, arrived at Churubusco, as soon as that body. Part of the 
Mexican force which thus fell back from San Antonio, were the bat- 
talions of Hidalgo and Victoria (Polkas), from W'hose intrepidity 
much was expected ; but which expectation they now grievously dis- 
appointed, by strangely neglecting to stop at Churubusco, and con- 
tinuing directly on, for the cily gates, which they entered — not having 
fired a single shot ; here these gallant fellows dispersed lo their homes, 
leaving their comrades without lo stand the brunt of the battle. 

The body of Americans that thus had followed up Bravo was under 
command of Gen. Worth ; they were checked for a moment, by the 
fire of artillery, but then attacked the tele de pont, or fort at the head 
of the bridge, with ardor ; while the other column advancing from 
Coyoacan, under Gen. Twiggs, attacked the church at Churubusco, 
which was strongly fortified, and garrisoned partly by the other two 
Polka battalions, of Independence and Bravo, who fought well, having 
no possible chance lo retreat. These were supported here by the ar- 
tillery, of which about twenty pieces were in position at the various 
points, and the fire of which made gn^at havoc in the ranks of the 
Americans. Another cokunn of the latter, under the command of 
Gen. Shields, attacked the hacienda at the Mexican right; this col- 
umn, consisUng of five regiments, was received by nearly seven thou- 
sand troops of the line. 

The battle, at one P. M., raged from right to left. The roar of 
artillery and musketry was so unremitted, that the words of command 
given on either side could scarcely be heard. A dense cloud of smoke 
hung (ner the field, and tlie ground was strewed with the dead and 



EN'JURE DEFEAT OF TllV) MEXU'AN ARMY. 517 

dying. The conflict between these thiiiy thousand conihataiits con- 
tinued unabated ia violence lor two hours, wlien the Mexican right 
gave way before the impetuous attack of Shields, and in retreating, 
crowded along tlic narrow causeway to the capital, in coni'used, dense 
masses. Shordy after, tlie column on the left, under Hen. Worth, 
triumphantly assaulted die fort at the biidge, routing Perez's troops, 
and capturing the artillery and colors ; and finally, in twenty minutes 
after, Gen. Rincon, in command of the fortified church, finding him- 
self surrounded, and with no means of retreat, surrendered to the 
division of Gen. Twiggs. 

Gen. Perez's forces fled in confusion to the Perton. Tlie battalions 
of Iixh'pendence and Bravo, and the U;gion of American deserters, 
were taken prisoners, which with the portions of oUier battalions, 
were in numl)er about two thousand, among them Generals liincon, 
Anay:i, (Jaray, and a due pnjportion of inferior ofllcers of all ranks. 
During the day the loss of the Mexicans at Contreras, 8an Antonio, 
and Churubusco, killed, wounded, and prisoners, had been above five 
thousand men. — Forty-five pieces of artillery had fallen into the hands 
of the Americans, and more ammunition than had been used by the 
American army since the landing at Vera Cruz. 

The rout at Churubusco was complete and terrible. In the hot 
pursuit oi' die crowd of fugitives, the American cavalry dashed up 
to the gates of the city, and came near capturing Santa Anna him- 
self. At night only 11,000 troops were collected within the walls, 
the shattered remnant of the 32,000 Uiat had entered the actions 
in the morning. Those that thus remained, were discouraged and 
friglitened, and had the American army entered Uie gates, the city in its 
tuinuliuous alarm and confusion, must have surrendered with hardly a 
show of resistance. The streets were crowded with fugitives, ofiicers 
hastening to and fro, and women ruiming wildly, shrieking in excess 
of fear, or hurriedly searching for those of immediate connection with 
them, now among the missing, either dead or prisoners. — The Mexi- 
cans in the » ity, writing to their friends in the country, descril)e the 
fearful scene within the capital that evening and the; following night, 
as being one of confuoion, t(!ars, shrieks, and distress unbounded. In 
some parts of the city, alarm after alarm, that th»^ Americans were 
coming, was raised by the panic-struck soldiers, and men, women and 
children, fled for their lives. In stupid amazement and terror, the 
crowds on the liouse-tops and stee[)les, had beheld the flying battalions 
pursued by th^; (;neiny, crowding into the gates, while groans and (;ries 
arose from the streets as the multitude of wounded were hurried along. 
It was a learful niirht. 



518 PKOPOSALS FOR AN ARMISTICE. 

The lo&s to the Ainencans daring this memorable day, in killed 
and wounded had been a little over a thousand, mo.st of which had 
been at and al)out Churubusco. — At Contreras their loss liad been light. 

It had not been the intention of the American general to enter the 
city after the first battles, he determining to allow the Mexican gov- 
ernment yet another opportunity of negocialing a peace, while yet the 
capital remained in their possession. — On the morning of the 21st, 
Sehor Pacheco, minister of internal and foreign relations (secretary 
of state), dispatched an embassy, consisting of Gen. Villamil and Se- 
ilor Aranjois, to the head-quarters of the enemy at Coyoacan, request- 
ing an armistice of thirty hours, to collect the wounded and bury the 
dead, &c. The terms proposed were rejected by Gen. Scott, who, 
however, sent in other proposals, given below, which led to the ar- 
mistice, of which much has been said by both nations. The corres- 
pondence is given in full. 

HEAD-aUAHTERS OF THE AHMT OF THE U. S. AMERICA, ■> 

Coyoacan, August 21, 1847. 5 
To His Excellency the President and General-iii-chief of the Republic of Mexico. 

Sir : — Too much blood has already been shed in this unnatural war between the 
two great republics of this continent. It is time that the diflferences between them 
should be amicably and honorably settled ; and it is known to your Excellency, that a 
commissioner on the part of the United States, clothed with full powers to that end, is 
with this army. To enable the two republics to enter on negociation, I am willing to 
sign, on reasonable terms, a short armistice. 

I shall await with impatience until to-morrow morning, for a direct answer to tiiis 
communication ; but shall in the mean time, seize and occupy such positions outside 
of the capital, as I may deem necessary to the shelter and comfort of this army. 

I have the honor to remain, with high consideration and respect, your Excellency's 
most obedient servant, Winfield Scott. 

To this letter the following reply was returned, by the Mexican 
secretary of war : 

Ministry of War and Marine,^ 
Mexico, August 2 1st, 1847. 5 
To His Excellency Gen. Winfield Scott, Commander-in-chief of the Army of the 

U. S. America. 
Sir : — The undersigned. Minister of War and Marine of the Government of the 
United States of Mexico, is instructed by his Excellency the President, commander- 
in-chief, to n ply to your communication, in which you propose to enter into an armis- 
tice, with a view to avoid the further shedding of blood between the two great rej)uhlics 
of this continent, for the purpose of hearing the propositions which may be made for 
this purpose, by the commissioner of his Excellency the Presid»^nt of the United States 
of America, who is at the head-quarters of the American army. 

It is certainly lamentable, that, in disregard of the rights ol the Mexican republic, 
the shedding of blood has become inevitable, between the first republics of the Ameri- 



TERMS OF ARMISTICE. 519 

can continent : and your Excpllency, with great propriety, qualifies this war as unna- 
tural, as well on account of its origin as the antecedents of two people identified hy 
their relations and their interests. The proposition of an armistice to terminate this 
scandal, has been received with pleasure, by his Excellency the President, commander- 
in-chief, as it will enable the propositions to be entertained which the commissioner of 
the President of the United States may make for the honorable termination of the war. 

Accordingly, the President, conmiaiider-in-chief, directs me to say to your Excel- 
lency, that he accepts the proposition to enter into an armistice, and for this object he 
has appointed the brigadier generals, D. Ignacio Mora y Villaniil and D. Benito Qui- 
jano, who will be present at the time and place which may be designated. 

His Excellency also instructs me to communicate his satisfaction that the army of 
the United States should occupy convenient and fitting quarters, trusting and hoping 
that they will be out of reach of the fire of the Mexican fortifications. 

1 have the honor to be with high consideration and respect, your Excellency's most 
obedient servant, Alcohta. 

THE ARMISTICE. 

The undersigned, appointed respectively, the three first by Maj. Gen. Scott, com- 
mander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, and the two last by his Excellency 
D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, president of the Mexican Republic, and com- 
mander-in-chief of its armies, met with full powers, which were duly verified, in the 
village of Tacubaya, on the 22d day of August, 1847, to enter into an armistice for 
the purpose of giving the Mexican government an opportunity of receiving proposi- 
tions for peace, from the commissioner appointed by the President of the United States, 
and now with the American army, when the following articles were agreed upon : 

1. Hostilities shall instantly and absolutely cease between the armies of the United 
States of America arid the United Mexican States, within thirty leagues of the capital 
of the latter States, to allow time to the commissioner appointed by the United States, 
and the commi-sloner to be appointed by the Mexican Republic, to negotiate. 

2. This armistice shall continue as long as the commissioners of the two govern- 
ments may be engaged in negotiations, or until the commander of either of the said 
armies shall give formal notice to the other of the cessation of the armistice, and for 
forty-eight hours after such notice. 

3. In the mean time, neither army shall, within thirty leagues of the city of Mex- 
ico, commence any new fortification or military work of offense or defense, or do any 
thing to enlarge or strengthen any existing work, or fortification of that character, 
within the said limits. 

4. Neither army shall be reinforced within the same time. Any reinforcements in 
troops, or munitions of war, other than subsistence, now approaching either army, 
shall be stopped at the distance of twenty-eight leagues from the city of Mexico. 

5. Neither army, nor any detachment from it, shall advance beyond the line it at 
present occupies. 

6. Neither army, nor any detachment or individual of either, shall pass the neutral 
limits established by the last article, except under flag of truce, bearing the corresj)ond- 
ence between the two armies, or on the business authorised by the next article ; and 
individuals of either army, who may chance to straggle within the neutral limits shall, 
by the opposite party be kindly warned ofl", or sent back t(j their own armies under a 
flag of truce. 

7. The American army shall not by violence obstruct the passage, from the open 



520 liATIFlCA'I'lON OF THE AKMlSl'ICE. 

country into the city of Mexico, of the ordinary supplies of food necessary- for the con- 
sumption of its inhabitants, or the Mexican army within tlie city ; nor shall the Mex- 
ican authorities, civil or military, do any act to obstruct the passage of supj)lies from 
the city or the country, needed by the American army. 

8. AH American prisoners of war remaining on the hands of the Mexican army, 
and not heretofore exchanged, shall inunediately, or as soon as practicable, be restored 
to the American army, against a like number, having regard to rank, of Mexican pri- 
soners captured by the American army. 

9. AH American citizens who were established in the city of Mexico prior to the 
existing war, and who have since been expelled from that city, shall be allowed to re- 
turn to their respective business or families therein, without delay or molestation. 

10. 'J'he better to enable the belligerent armies to execute these articles, and to favor 
the great object of peace, it is further agreed between the parties, that any courier with 
dispatches that either army shall desire to send along the line, from the city of Mexi- 
co, or its vicinity, to and from Vera Uruz, shall receive a safe conduct from the com- 
mander of the opposing army. 

11. The administration of justice between Mexicans according to the general and 
state constitutions and laws, by the local authorities of the towns and places occupied 
by the American forces, shall not be obstructed in any manner. 

12. Persons and property shall be respected in the towns and places occupied by 
the American forces. No person shall be molested in the exercise of his profession ; 
nor shall the services of any one be required without his consent. In all cases 
where services are voluntarily rendered, a just price shall be paid, and trade remain 
unmolested. 

13. Tho.se wounded prisoners who may desire to remove to some more convenient 
place, for the purpose of being cured of their wounds, shall be allowed to do so with- 
out molestation, they still remaining prisoners. , 

14. Those Mexican medical officers, who may wish to attend the wounded, .shall 
have the privilege of doing so, if thek services be required. 

15. For the more perfect execution of this agreement, two commissioners shall be 
appointed, one by each party, who in case of disagreement, shall appoint a third. 

16. This convention shall have no force or effect, unless approved by their excellen- 
cies the commanders, respectively of the two armies, within twenty-four hours, reckon- 
ing from the 6lh hour of the i'.id day of August, 1 847. 

J. A. QUITMAN, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. IGNACIO DE MORA Y VILLAMIL. 

PERSIFEPv F. SMITH, Bvt. Brig, Gen. BENITO QUIJANO. 
FRANKLIN PIERCE, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 
A true coj)y of the original. 

G. W. LAY, U. S. A., Military Secretary to the Gencral-in-Chicf. 

HF.ADaUAHTKHS OF THE AllMY U. S. AMERICA, ^ 

Tacubaya, Atifrust 23, 1847. 3 
Considered, approved, and ratified, with the express understanding that the word 
" supplies," as used the second time, without qualificatioti in the seventh article of this 
military convention (American copy) shall be taken to mean, as in both the British 
and .American armies, arms, munitions, clothing, equipments, subsistence (for men), 
forage, money, and in general all the wants of an army. That word " supplies," m 
the Mexican copy, is erroneously translated " viverci," instead of " recursos." 

WIN FIELD SCOTT, 
General-in-Chief of the U. S. \. 



POSITION OF THE AMERICAN ARMV. 521 

The following is a translation of Santa Anna's ratification: 

National Palace op Mexico, ^ 
Auguat -23, 1847. 3 
Ratified, suppressing article nine, and explaining article four to mean that the tem- 
porary peace of this armistice is to be respected in the capital, and at a distance of 
twenty-eight leagues around the capital, translating the word " supplies " by " recursos," 
meaning evcrytliing the array may stand in need of, except arms and ammunition. 

ANTONIA LOPEZ DE S.ANTA ANNA. 

HEADaUARTERS OF TUE ArmY U.S. AMERICA,^ 

Tacubaya, August 24, 1847. 5 
I accept and ratify the foregoing qualification, added by the President (jcneral of the 
Mexican Republic. WINFIELD SUOTT. 

A true copy of the original. 

G. W. LAY, U. S. A., Military secretary to the General-in-Chief. 



HEAOaUARTERS OF TUE ArMY U. S. AmERICA, 

Tacubaya, August 23, 1847, 



CAj'i 



To his Excellency, the President and General-in-Chief of the Mexican Republic: 

Sir — Under a flag of truce I send Lieut. Semmes, of the U. S. Navy, who will 
have the honor to exchange, with such odicer as may be appointed for the purpose, the 
ratification of the military convention that was signed yesterday by commissioners from 
the American and Mexican armies. 

I particularly invite the attention of your excellency to the terms of my ratification, 
and have the honor to remain, with high consideration and respect, your excellency's 
most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT, 

General-in-Chief of the U. S. A. 

National Palace of Mexico 
August 23, 1847. 
To his Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army : 

The letter of your excellency, of this date, was received, in which you are pleased 
to state, that Lieut. Semmes, of the U. S. Navy, will exchange, with another officer 
appointed for that purpose, the ratification of the military convention, which was signed 
yesterday by the commissioners of the Mexican and American armies, and calls par- 
ticular attention to the terms of the ratification. 

His excellency, the president, orders the undersigned to inform your excellency, 
which he has the honor of doing, to send the ratification within the time agreed upon 
by the armistice, and also to call the attention of your excellency, to the terms of the 
ratification by iiis excellency the president. LINO .lOSE ALCORTA, 

Minister of State, and of War and Marine. 

On the night of the 20th, the advance of the Americans had halted 
at Portalis, two and a half miles from the southern gate of the city. 
On the 21st they advanced, and took possession of Tacubaya; while 
the various detachments under Generals Worth, Pillow, Twiggs, and 
Qnitnian remained quartered in the villages of Coyoacan, Mixcoac, 
San Augusiin, and others. They exhibited to the inhalutants of these 



522 COAGRESS RETIRES TO TOLUCA. 

villages, the same princij)les of order and moderaliou which, in other 
cities captured by them, had made their presence to be regarded, by 
the better chiss of Mexicans, rather as an advantage, than a terror. 
While the negotiations were going on, they busied themselves only 
with the burial of the dead, both their own and the Mexican, and in 
attending to the wounded of both parties, and guarding their numerous 
prisoners. While extending the greatest kindness to all lliese of 
Mexican race, they treated with great severity those of the legion of 
St. Patrick, which was entirely composed of deserters from the Ame- 
rican ranks, and who, having been placed in the front of the battle at 
Churubusco, by Santa Anna, were taken prisoners by their former 
comrades. Fifty of these were hung, as soon as their cases could be 
investigated by a hastily organised court martial. 

At the time of the appointment of commissioners to conclude the 
armistice, Pacheco had issued a summons to each member of congress, 
(one hundred and forty in number), to assemble immediately, to con- 
sider on the propositions for peace ; but of the whole number only 
twenty-five obeyed the summons. The members of congress having 
placed all the responsibility upon Santa Anna, would not take any 
part of it on themselves. Individually retiring to Toluca, seventy of 
them met, and in informal session resolved, that they would listen 
to no proposals for peace, while the army of the United States threat- 
ened the capital, occupied the finest cities of the repubhc, or her 
fleets blockaded the Mexican ports. This done, they dispersed. 
Gen. Valencia, then there, amused them and the people, by issuing 
high-sounding proclamations, breathing war to the last, and con- 
demning tlie conduct of the commander-in-chief. But, of little mo- 
ment to Santa Anna, upon whom the burden now rested, were either 
the resolutions of the deputies, or the proclamation of Valencia. He 
was in a peculiar situation; and though his acts appear to indicate 
that he was at heart inclined favorably to consider the proposals of the 
United Stales, yet he was prevented from expressing this opinion by 
the circumstances in which he was placed. 'JMiese seemed to be 
more perilous than ever. The state of political aflairs within the 
city was more distracted. Previous to the arrival of the American 
army before the city, he had by the strong force of military power, 
silenced the utterance of every sentiment in opposition to himself; 
but, although the various parties were no longer permitted to ex- 
press their opinions publicly, they had cherished them with in- 
creased rancor toward him ; and now, in the conl'u.-ion incident to 
defeat, they were the more loudly spoken, because of their previous 
suppression. 



POLITICAL rAKl'IE.S IN THE CAPITAL. 523 

The opinions and movements within the city of Mexico, always 
have governed tlie nation. Like the revolutions in Paris, whicli liave 
immediately changed the whole face of France, so it has been in Mex- 
ico, As a general rule, he who was supported by the capital, was fully 
in power over the whole country; and so uncertain has been the ten- 
ure, that in the provinces neither the governments nor the people have 
been enabled positively at any day to say, under what executive officer 
the nation was, or what principles or form of constitution was tlie foun- 
dation of their action. Within this city now, was confusion in par- 
ties, and great bitterness of expression between them. Let us review 
those whose actions bore so potently upon the conduct of Santa Anna ; 
a glance at their particular aims, will enable the reader to see the 
principles which had actuated the great parties of this unhappy nation, 
for some years before this period. 

First, the Pitros, democrats, opposed the views of Santa Anna. 
This party, comprising many, and the more influential, of the middle 
class, and many of the lower, regarding the United States as a pattern 
republic, worthy of imitation, have for years held the following opin- 
ions : Being Roman Catholics, in common with the whole popula- 
tion, they were in favor of curtailing the immense revenues of the 
church to such an amount as would support the worship and ceremo- 
nies alone ; would reduce the immense number of the priests, curates, 
and friars, to that which should suffice only for the performance of 
their worship. Believing, also, a large standing army to be injurious 
to their civil liberty, and seeing, too, that by it all the revolutions were 
accomplished, they made no concealment of their opposition to it, and 
would reduce it to a small establishment ; they would, also, promote 
the elevation of the lower classes, encouraging equality, liberty, free- 
dom of thought and political expression, and, the more li!)eral among 
them, would even permit much more toleration in religion. 

This party were cordially united against Santa Anna — whose 
opinions were so directly contrary — and at this time strenuously 
opposed a peace, the effect of which would be to place him perma- 
nenUy in power. The governor of the city, Don Francisco M. de 
Olaguibel, was of this party, and united, at this moment, the influence 
of it against the peace — issuing a strong manifesto in opposition. 

Diametrically opposed to t!ie Puros, were the Mo)Uirqi(idas. — 
These, strong in influence, but not in numbers, observing the miserable 
condition to whicli Mexico had been reduced under republican govern- 
ment, and seeing no hope of the termination of revolutions and tur- 
moils, were strongly in favor of a monarchy, and contended, that a 
king alone could bring prosperity to the country, believing that the 



524 PUKOS— MOiS'AKQUISTAS— MODERADOS. 

people of Mexico were not suited for a repiil)lie. They were also in 
favor of the monopolies and privileges enjoyed by the church. Their 
opinions were ably supported by a large portion of the clergy, and, 
as has been mentioned, warmly approved of by the late areiibishop 
of Mexico. At the head of these Monarquistas was Gen, Mariano 
Paredes y Arrillaga, or, as commonly called, Paredes; who, returning 
from exile in disguise, landed at Vera Cruz on the 14th of August, 
and escaped from there before the American authorities had notice of 
his arrival. He had proceeded to Mexico, and was now concealed in 
the neighborhood, having oflered his services to Santa Anna, but had 
been proscribed by him. 

This party of Monarquistas were bitterly opposed to Santa Anna, 
and still more so, to peace with the United States. Under the gov- 
erment of their leader, Paredes, the war had been commenced, and 
they wished it to continue. 

The third great party was the Moderados. These took a middle 
stand, were opposed to the ultra-democratic opinions of the Puros, and 
equally so to the aristocratic principles of the Monarquistas. Some 
of this party were friendly to Santa Anna, but by no means the ma- 
jority ; although his political tenets, if indeed he had any, were 
thought to be more in accordance with the opinions of this, than either 
of the other parties, yet they were distrustful of him ; and while many 
were openly in favor of jjeace, they dreaded that he should make it. 
The party was strong, comprising many of the better portion of the 
middle classes, the inferior clergy, &c. They were not so bitterly 
opposed to the United States as the others, and at heart some of them 
would even be happy to be annexed to that power, in hopes of enjoy- 
ing the blessings of a good government. 

The leperos, or beggarly population of the capital, who in propor- 
tion exceed those of any city of the new world, were clamorous against 
a peace, though they acted from no principle, and belonged to no party 
whatever. These, moved entirely by impulse, knew nothing of the 
causes of the war, and cared nothing for its results, could they but be 
amused with accounts of victories upon paper. 

Santa Anna at this crisis, sustained by neither of these parlies, relied 
only on the army, of which he had still, within the city, fifteen thou- 
sand miMi, having again collected the shattered remnants of defeated 
battalions ; the army was attached to hiin, as it had always been. — 
During the progress of the negotiations, which occupied the time 
from the 22d of August to the 6th of September, not a soldier ar- 
rived at the beleagured capital for its assistance — not a dollar was 
received by the government. It was now impossible for the execu- 



ATTACK ON THE AMERICAN TRAIN. 525 

tive to think of concluding a peace with the commissioner of tlie 
United States, and diis was made apparent a (hiy or two after 
the armistice had commenced ; l)nt every day of th;it armistice was 
valuahU' to him, and his instructions to the Mexican commissioners 
were, as he himself states in a letter to one of his friends, to pro- 
long it to the utmost, until he should liave time to reorganise his 
troops, and estahlisli their conlidence. The number of these now, 
exclusive of the Polkas who had acted so disgracefully and were dis- 
banded, was much superior, in fact double, the available forces of the 
Americans; and knowing the severe losses which had befallen them, 
he hoped yet, with the aid of the population, to prevent tliem from 
entering the city. Every consecutive hour added to his advantage, 
while it was correspondingly disadvantageous to the Americans. — 
While the commissioners for peace met and delil)erated, and while 
the American general was even sanguine of its completion, the wily 
Mexican had new fortifications constructing every night, with surpris- 
ing rapidity, but in direct violation of the terms of the armistice. An 
American train, in accordance with those terras, under tlie escort of a 
body of Mexican cavalry, entering the city for provisions, were at- 
tacked and stoned in the street, by the leperos and lower orders of 
ptiros, incited, from the balconies and windows, by inchviduals of 
standing and influence — the same valiant gentlemen, who, as Polkas, 
had made such a rapid retreat from Churubusco, before the battle 
commenced. This outrage was in immediate view of Santa Aima, 
who, while he made no effort to save the defenseless teamsters, apolo- 
gised to Gen. Scott, for that and another similar outrage — the sacking 
of a wareliouse within the walls, in which provisions had been col- 
lected for tlie American army. This apology prevented the armistice 
being terminated by the latter general on the instant, and gave to Santa 
Anna what he most needed — time. He issued a decree, forbidding any 
foreigners or others from going to the American camp without a per- 
mit from himself; and another, ordering the Polkns to reappear in tlie 
ranks — but the latter had no etfect. He had the support of the Eng- 
lish and Prussian ministers — tliat of congress he looked not for. He 
convoked a council of iirmy ofllcers, and as usual, after a lung recapitu- 
lation of his services, tendered to them his resignation; but they refused 
to hear of it — hoped that peace might be made — but were ready in the 
contrary event to give up their lives in his support. To this refusal 
he yielded with apparent good grace. As his determiualion again to 
fight became known within the city, the swarming crowds of that 
densely populated capital, turned out each night, to work on the de- 
fenses at and near the city gates, and the strong fortress of Chapulte- 



526 COMMUNICATION FROM GEN. SCOTT. 

pec. The Polkas, even, could do this ; and women, in multitudes, 
assisted, being driven on by fear, and excittnl by the most unfounded 
reports of American outrage and cruelty. 

F\ir a few days only, could the American general be thus deceived; 
and a decisive step was taken by him toward bringing the matter to 
a conclusion on the 6lh of September, by his sending under a flag of 
truce, the following communication to Santa Anna : 

HE\DatTAKTEnS AllMT OF ILviTKI) 8tATES, 

Tacubaya, Sept. 6, 1847. 
To his Excellency, the President and General-in-Chief of the Mexican Republic: 

The 7th and ]2lh articles of the armistice or military convention which I had the 
honor of ratifying and exchanging with your excellency, on the 24th ult., stipulate 
that the army under my command, shall have the privilege of obtaining supplies from 
the city of Mexico. There were repeated violations of these articles soon after the 
armistice was signed, and I have now good reasons for believing that within the last 
twenty-four hours, if not before, the 3d article of the same convention was violated 
by the same parties. These direct breaches of good faith give to this army a full right 
to commence hostilities without giving any notice. However, I will give the neces- 
sary time for an explanation, satisfaction, or reparation. If these are not given, I 
hereby formally notify you, that if I do not receive the most complete satisfaction on 
all these points before twelve o'clock to-morrow, I shall consider the armistice as ter- 
minated from that hour. 

I have the honor to be your excellency's obedient servant, 

WINFIELD SCOTT. 

To this Santa Anna made the following reply : 

HEADat)ARTEHs Army of Mexican Republic, ^ 
Mexico, Sept. 6, 1847. 5 
To his Excellency, General Winfield Scott, Cornmander-in-Chief of the Army of the 

United States: 

By the note of your excellency under this date I learn, with surprise, that you con- 
sider that the civil and military authorities of Mexico have violated articles 7, 12 and 
3 of the armistice which I concluded with your excellency on the 24th of last month. 

The civil and military authorities of Mexico have not obstructed the passage of pro- 
visions for the American army ; and if at times their transmission has been retarded, 
it has been owing to the imprudence of the American agents, who, without having 
a previous understanding with the proper authorities, gave occasion for popular out- 
breaks, which it has cost the Mexican goverinnent much trouble to repress. Last 
night, and the night before, the escorts for the provision train were ready to start, and 
were detained only because Mr. Hargous, the agent, desired it. The orders given to 
suspend the intercourse between the two armies were addressed to private individuals, 
and not to the agents of the army of the United States, and were intended purposely 
to expedite the transmission of provisions to the army, and to confine the intercourse 
to that object exclusively. In return for this conduct, your excellency has prevented 
the owners or managers of the grain mills, in the vicinity of the city, from furnishing 
any flour to the city — which is a true breacli of the good faith your excellency had 
pledged me. 



REPLY OF SAjNTA ANNA. 527 

It is false, tliat any new work or fortificiitioii lias been undertaken, liceause one or 
two repairs have only served to plaoe them in tiie same condition they were in on the 
day the armistice was entered into, accident or the convenience of the moment having 
caused the destruction of the then existing works. You have had early notice of the 
establishment of the battery covered with the mud walls of the house of Garry, in 
this city, and did not remonstrate, because the peace of two great republics could not 
be made to depend upon things grave in themselves, but of little value compared to 
the result in which all the friends of humanity and of the i)rosperity of the American 
continent take so great an interest. 

It is not without great grief, and even indignation, that I have received communica- 
tions from the cities and villages occupied by the army of your excellency, in relation 
to the violation of the temples consecrated to the worship of God, to the plunder of 
the sacred vases, and to the profanation of the images venerated by the Mexican peo- 
ple. Profoundly have I been aifected by the complaints of fathers and husbands, of 
the violence offered to their daughters and wives ; and these same villages have been 
sacked, not only in violation of the armistice, but of the sacred principles proclaimed 
and respected by civilised nations. I have observed silence to the present moment, in 
order not to obstruct the progress of negotiations which held out the hope of termina- 
ting a scandalous war, and one which your excellency has characterised so justly as 
unnatural. But I shall desist olfering apologies, because I cannot be blind to the truth, 
that the true cause of the threats of renewing hostilities, contained in the note of your 
excellency, is that I have not been willing to sign a treaty which would lessen consid- 
erably, the territory of the Republic, and not only the territory of the Republic, but 
that dignity and integrity which all nations defend to the last extremity. And if these 
considerations have not the same weight in the mind of your excellency, the respon- 
sibility before the world, who can easily distinguish on whose side is moderation and 
justice, will fall upon you. 

I flatter myself, that your excellency will be convinced, on calm reflection, of the 
weight of my reasons. But, if by misfortune, you should seek only a pretext to de- 
prive the first city of the American continent of an opportunity to free the unarmed 
population of the horrors of war, there will be left me no other means of salvation, 
but to repel force by force, with the decision and energy which my high obligations 
impose upon me. 

I have the honor to be your excellency's humble servant, 

ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA. 

The treaty referred to above, by Santa Anna, or rather the propo- 
sitions of Mr. Trist, on behalf of the United States, for such a treaty, 
had been comprised in eleven articles, in substance as follows : 

Art. 1st. i^tipulated that hostilities should cease upon the ratification of the treaty. 

2d. Provided for the liberation of all prisoners of war, with the j)romise of the United 
States to recover Mexican prisoners from the Camanchcs, and other Indian tribes. 

3d. Declared that all hostilities should be immediately suspended ; and on the rati- 
fication of the treaty, all captured cities, forts, castles, Sec, with their artillery, within 
the limits of Mexico, as defined by the treaty, should be given up to the Mexican 
government. 

4th. Defined the boundary line to be, the liio Grande, the southern and tvesiern 
boundary of the province of New Mexico, the river Gila to the Colorado, ike lat- 
ter river to the gulf of California, then a line down the middle of that gulf to the 



528 TERMS OF PEACE PROPOSED. 

Pacific. (Thus ceding to thfi United States, Texas, New Mexico, Upper and Lower 
Californin.) 

5th. 'I'hat the United States, making no claim for the expenses of the war, should 
pay to Mexico $ . 

6th. 'J"he [Jnited States agreed to pay, to ihe amount of three millions of dollars, 
the claims of her ciiizens against Mexico, both those decided, and those that should yet 
be decided, which should have originated prior to May 13th, 1846. 

7th. Stated, that in case of difficulty in such decision, the archives of each govern- 
ment shall he at the disposal of the commissioners. 

Sth. (lave the United States the exclusive right of way across the isthmus of Te- 
huantepec, to and from the Pacific ocean. 

9th. Provided that all goods introduced into Mexico by the United States, should be 
free from confiscation, or from the payment of any duties. 

10th. Declared that the treaty of commerce of 1831, should be renewed between 
the two countries for eight years. 

11th. Stipulated that this treaty of peace .should be approved by the President of 
the United States, and the ratifications thereof exchanged in the city of Washington 
within — months, or as soon as possible. 

These propositions had been submitted to the Mexican commis- 
sioners on the 27th of August ; but, after much deliberation, it was 
not until the date of the communication of the American general, 
.oiore noticed, that they offered any definite proposals of their own. 
The American commissioner had, however, agreed to withdraw the 
claim to Lower California. On the 6th, seeing that no more time 
was to be gained, Santa Anna instructed the commissioners to pre- 
sent to Mr. Trist, their counter project, or ultimatum, as directed by 
himself. This was contained in fifteen articles, and in substance as 
follows : 

Art 1st. Was a desire, merely, of lasting peace between the two republics. 

2d. Demanded all prisoners to be given up; all Mexican.', prisoners to Indians, 
within the limits of the United States, to be liberated and returned to their homes, by 
the latter power. 

3d. Required all forts, towns, territory, and artillery taken by the United States, to 
be returned to Mexico. 

4th. Defined the dividing line to commence in ihe gulf of Mexico, opposite the 
soutfiern mouf/i of Corpus C/iristi tmy, t/ience, across tftat bay, to t/ie mouth of the 
river Nueces, up tliat to its source, titence on a line direct to the sout/ieastcrn corner 
of New Mexico, tlience along the ea^ntern boundary of New Mexico northwardly 
to the 27 Ih parallel of latitude, thence weM along that parallel to the Vacifc. (Thus 
ceding to the United States, Texas to the Nueces, and a small strip of Indian terri- 
tory, with a little of Upper California.) Mexico agreeing not to found any settle- 
ments between the Rio Grande and the Nueces. 

5th. Required that the United States should pay to Mexico the sum of ? , 

at the city of Mexico. 

6th and 7th. Stipulated that the United States should pay the claims of her citizens 
upon Mexico. 

8th. To the same effect as the 6'.h article of Mr. Trist's proposition. 



RENEWAL OF lIOSTiLiTIEiS. 529 

9th. Pnividcd that the I\om;ui Catholic religion slioiiKl he rcspc\-tp(] in th<> ceded 
(territory. 

10th. i'rovided that citizens of Mexico inii;ht return from the L'liited States williout 
being taxed. 

11th. That all grants of land made hy Mexico, in the ceded territory, should be 
respected. 

r2th. Tliat the United States should solemnly bind itself, not to admit, hereafter, 
the annexation to itself of any territory, by this treaty now within the limits of Mexico. 

I3th. All goods in the ports occupied by the Americans, to pay the regular Mexi- 
can duties, or be confiscated. 

14th. That the government of the United States should fully satisfy all claims of 
Mexican citizens for damage done to their property, by the Americans, during 
the war- 
In addition to this, the guaranty of England was required, that the 
United States should perform the stipulations of the treaty. 

These proposals, as had been foreseen, were rejected by the Ameri- 
can commissioner. On the following day the negotiations closed, and 
both armies prepared for an immediate renewal of hostilities. On 
the same day, Santa Anna issued an address to the nation, stating that 
the enemy were about to recommence hostilities; that they had offered 
to give advantageous offers of peace to Mexico, but, that tlie proposi- 
tions which w(;re tendered by them, would have destroyed the republic, 
and converted it into a miserable colony of the United States, &c,, and 
energetically exhorted all to fly to the defense of their country. 

Gen. Herrera, as commander of the forces of the city, also issued 
an address to the clergy and the people, bescecliing the former to use 
all their influence in sustaining the defense of the capital — exhorted 
the latter to assist in the defense, from their house-tops and windows, 
if the Americans should gain footing in the city, advising them to use 
all means of destruction that could be made available — fire and sword. 

In tlie afternoon, Synta Anna sending a strong division of infantry 
and cavalry to Chapnltojxc and Molino del Key, awaited the attack 
of the enemy. 

Again were the contending armies ready for llie strife. Again had 
the efforts of the Mexican commander placed the capital in such a state 
of defense, as to present a formidable front to the invaders ; twice had 
it been completely in the power of the American general — after the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, and after that of Churubusco. At either time, 
on account of the excessive alarm and confusion of the inhabitants and 
soldiers, it might have been taken by Scott with a trifling loss. Bui, 
as Santa Anna had raised the capital from its alarm and despair, after 
the battle of Cerro Gordo, and had already cost the American general 
the tenth part of his number » make his present stand, so now, during 
34 



530 SANTA ANNA AS A GENEKAL. 

the few clays consumed by llie armistice, he had again placed himself 
and his forces so as to cause the invaders yet a greater sacrifice of life, 
in accomplishing their object. 

The historian, in impartially reviewing the eflbrts and actions of 
Santa Anna during the year that had elapsed from the time he landed 
at Vera Cruz from exile, to the present mument, when he again stands 
recovered to meet Gen. Scott, as well as in his subsequent actions, 
must accord to him, notwithstanding his uniform ill fortune, the char- 
acter and ability of a general of the first degree. IIow much had he 
accomplished in one year ; how well had his plans been laid. Not 
a single error of judgment can be pointed to, in his course for de- 
fense ; while not an error was committed by his opponents, but that 
he had been ready to turn to advantage. Permitted by them, he had 
landed alone, when called back to his distracted country ; he found 
that country embroiled by the actions of his political and personal 
enemy, Paredes, in a war with a powerful nation, whose armies, 
already victorious, were advancing on her territory, while her own 
troops, under minor and inferior generals, were retreating terrified. 
He found distraction within the nation, confusion and revolution in the 
capital itself, and the armies of the enemy pouring in from difierent 
directions. He had raised army after army. His sudden movement 
and attack on Gen. Taylor, at Buena Vista, was most judicious. He 
was repulsed by the strong arrangements of position of the latter 
general, and the unconquerable courage and gallantry of the American 
soldiers. The conflict was bloody and long; and who will say, that 
as far as Santa Anna's arrangements are considered, they were not 
planned to the best advantage. But he had not men like those of 
the American force. His retreat, his masterly movements to conceal 
his repulse, his encouragement of his soldiers, his advance upon the 
capital, his able manner of silencing the revolution then in agitation 
there, without offense to either party, uniting the troops of both to 
his own — his rapid movements to, and arrangements at, Cerro Gordo; 
his energy and skdl in taking advantage of the error of Scott, in that 
general's discharge of troops and subsequent delay at Puebla — his ar- 
rangements for defense, at the capital— all show bis energy and gen- 
eralship in the most favorable light. The destruction among the inva- 
ders before the strong works of Churubusco, even by part of his force, 
after the defeat of the morning, shows what, in all probability, would 
have been the result, had Valencia obeyed his orders, and fallen back 
to that point widi his seven thousand troops and twenty pieces of ar- 
tillery, and he tlu n to have fought with fresh and full forces, without 
the discouraging prestige of defeat which there rested upon his army 



COMPARISON OF THE OPPOSINC AKMIES. 531 

Vv'uh what tact had ho again taken advanta<r(! of the dchiy of the 
American general, after that defeat, and now stood once more on the 
defensive. The eonehision is irresistilile, that had Santa Anna been 
supported by otricers and sohUers equal, or anywhere near equal, 
to those commanded by Scott, the latter general's delay at Puebla 
would have been fatal to him — even tiie delay of the armistice would 
have been so, as subsequent events have proved. It must be admit- 
ted, that defeated as Santa Anna has been, the fault has not been with 
him. Compare his generalship taken with his resources with that of 
the victorious American, and he suffers not in the comparison. The 
latter general, witli all of his able plans, and triumphant success, still 
made some serious errors ; but the effects of these were effaced by the 
gallantry of his subordinate officers and soldiers, every one of whom 
was a host in himself; freely, when necessary, giving up his life in 
the contest — never thinking of retiring. He was supported by a host 
of officers, generals in themselves ; backed by a strong consolidated 
government, whose fleets lay near, and who poured in supplies of 
every sort ; encouraged, and supported, too, by other victorious col- 
umns in different sections of the country ; his own army though very 
small, was composed of the best material the world could produce. 

Santa Anna made no mistakes. Once, only, was he completely 
deceived and out-generaled — in the attack on the city, subsequent to 
this. But the effect of his judicious arrangements and superior gen- 
eralship, was frustrated entirely by the incompetency, insubordina- 
tion, and cowardice of his inferior officers, who looked to their own 
advancement rather than to the good of the nation, and also, the ineffi- 
ciency of his soldiers. His armies, formed so hastily, were in part 
but a miscellaneous rabble, defeated in heart, even before beincf broncrht 
into the field ; and his regular troops were rendered inefficient, bv the 
conduct of their leaders ; backed by no one, no government to provide 
supplies — government, commander, commissary, quartermaster, engi- 
neer, all himself; a victorious enemy everywhere around him — bis 
supplies stopped, his resources destroyed, and, more disadvantageous 
than all, disaffection, discord, and opposition from distracted parties, 
even in his very presence, and throughout the entire nation. 

The conclusion is unavoidable ; and an enemy must even accori! to 
him the possession of extraordinary ability and great generalship ; and 
it must be apparent, that had he possessed the undivided support of 
the nation, with men, money, means, but more especially such soldiers 
as those whicli opposed him, his success woiild have been such, that 
his name would have stood high in the roll of military heroes. 

Santa Anna, expecting die attack of the Americans at or near Cha- 



532 POSITIO^ OF TK(30PS AT MO].L\(J DEL REV. 

pultepoc, on the 7th placed a hirge portion of liis troops in that Lt- 
tress and its neighborhood, under Generals Bravo, Perez, Alvarez, and 
Leon ; while the remainder were posted at and in the vicinity of the 
southern gates of the city. 

Chapultepec is a high mound, situated about three miles southwest 
of the city, connected with it, at the garila, or sentry box, of Belen, 
by a long causeway, with wide ditches on either side, and an aque- 
duct, running along the top. A similar causeway runs due west from 
the city, at the gate of San (^osme, and passes out some distance 
north of ('hapultej)ec, but is connected witti that by a shorter cause- 
way running to the foot of the mound. These passages were bar- 
ricaded at several points. Chapultepec, itself, has been noted in the 
history of Mexico, as the ancient residence of the Montezumas. For 
a thousand yards further west from the fortress which crowned its 
summit, the sloping ground was shaded by a grove of timber, and 
here were the identical huge cypresses which stood in the time 
of Cortes. At the extremity of this grove were the large and strong 
buildings of Molino del Rey, or King's Mill ; a line of fortifications 
extended northwest from this, for four or five hundred yards, to the 
Casa Mata — a very strong old Spanish fort. Gen. Perez, with the 
11th and 12th regimoiits of the line and four pieces of artillery, was 
placed at this point; while the cavalry of Gen. Alvarez was stationed 
a little farther to the left, being on the extreme flank. On the right, 
at Molino del Rey, Gen. Leon commanded a heavy force, consisting 
of the battalions of Union, La Patria, Mina, a body of troops from 
Puebla, another body from Queretaro, and detachments from other 
quarters. Gen. Bravo commanded at the fortress of Chapultepec, 
now in the rear, but within effective range of any part of the lines. 
The whole force here was upward of ten thousand men ; while Santa 
Anna, confident of an attack upon that point, observed and directed 
every movement. 

Nor was he wrongly directed by his judgment ; for, on the next 
morning, the 8th, at the first dawn of day, drawn up on llie plain be- 
low, in front of tlie whole hue, and on the left flank, were the bodies 
of Americans under Gtui. Worth, supported by three batteries of ar- 
tillery, wliicii, as soon as tlie light enabled them to see, opened upon 
the latter position. 

The fire thus commenced a litde after five A. M., and was rapidly 
kept up against the Mill and Casa Mata. After this fire had been 
productive of nuu-h injury, especially at the Mill, tlie Americans as- 
saulted the works on the right, center, and left. The attack on the 
center was made by a stornnng column under Major Wright, which. 



BATTLE OF MOLING DEL REV. 533 

by its impetuous cliargo, Rjrccd the lines of Mexican troops back, and 
took possession of the four field pieces ; but, by the efforts of (ien. 
Leon, they were driven l)ack in disorder, and with loss. Being rein- 
forced by part of Gen. ('adwallader's brigade, they again rapidly 
advanced to the same point; while upon the left of the Mexican line, 
another column, under Col. Garland, supported by a battery of artil- 
lery, rushed with impetuosity, exposed to the fire from Chapultepec. 
At the same moment, another heavy column, under Col. Mcintosh, 
supported by a field hatter}-, also, furiously attacked the position of 
Casa Mata, on liie right, (len. Perez received this assault with firm- 
ness, and his destructive fire strewed death among the ranks of the 
brave assailants. 

The battle now raged furiously, and the firing was more rapid and 
constant, than at Churubusco. The destruction on both sides was 
great, and for a long time the result was extremely doubtful. Santa 
Anna now ordered Gen. Alvarez, with his large body of cavalry, sup- 
ported by infantry stationed at the extreme right, to make a charge on 
the flank and rear of the Americans. Alvarez commenced his move- 
ment for a charge, which, if he had made with vigor, would inevitably 
have secured the victory for the Mexicans ; but he was met by a rapid 
fire of grape and canister from Duncan's battery, on the American left, 
and opposed vigorously by a small force of dragoons, under Major 
Sumner ; and, though he might have overcome both, retreated. But 
soon after this, the assaulting column of Americans, of the 5th, 6th, 
and 8th regiments of infantry, against which he had been ordered to 
move, were routed and driven back from Casa Mata, by the fire of 
Perez. 

Seeing the perilous situation of his troops, and astonished at the 
strong defenses, of which he had not known. Gen. Scott, who had 
now approached the scene of action, with all haste ordered other 
forces, under Generals Pillow and Pierce, to reinforce Gen. Worth, for 
the troops of the latter amounted to l)ut little over three thousand. But 
before these reinforcements could arrive, having to come from two to 
four miles, Gen. Perez withdrew his force from Casa Mata ; and soon 
after, the other two American columns, on the center and left, having 
routed the command of Gen. Leon — after the death of that oflficer — all 
the Mexican troops, including those under Gen. Alvarez, were in full 
retreat for Chapultepec and the city, under the fire of the American 
field batteries, as well as from the captured gims. Many were killed : 
among them ("olonels Balderas, Hucrta, and Gelati ; a vast number 
wounded and dispersed, and eight hundred taken prisoiu-rs. The 
main body retreated to Chapultepec, l)ut many in tlieir flight threw 



534 RE.SULT OF THE BATTLE. 

away llieir anus, most of whifli, with ammunition, &;c., fell into the 
hands of the Americans. About one half of the whole force arrived 
at Chnpultepec, one fourth dispersed to the city, and the rest were 
killed, wounded, or prisoners. The Americans also suffered severely, 
losing, in killed and wounded, about eight hundred men, among them 
fifty officers. 

'J'he batde was over by 9 A. M. An immediate attack upon Cha- 
pultepec was expected by Santa Anna; but to his great surprise, the 
Americans collected their dead and wounded, blew up the fortress of 
Casa Mata, and at 12 M., had entirely evacuated the ground, and 
retired to 'I'acubaya. The Mexican forces, the same evening, reoc- 
eupied the position they had held in the morning. 

The result of the battle was of little advantage to the Americans. 
The object of Gen. Scott had been, simply to destroy the cannon 
foundrry, which he was informed, existed at the Mill — but nothing 
of importance was found there. 

The fact of the Americans falling back, and leaving the hard con- 
tested ground, immediately led the Mexicans to believe that the object 
of attack had been the fortress of Chapullepec ; but that, from the 
desperate resistance, and consequent loss, the enemy were obliged to 
retire. They would not believe that the capture of the mill alone had 
been the only object. Consequently, Santa Anna, from the posses- 
sion of the ground, claimed a victory. Proclamations and circulars, 
announcing the fact, were sent to all the departments forthwith, and 
their reception occasioned the most extravagant joy. 

There was no rejoicing in the American camp that night. They 
had won a brilliant victory after one of the most strongly-contested 
actions of the war ; but they felt that nothing had been gained by their 
loss of lives and blood. The order for the battle was most severely 
commented upon by the subordinate officers, as indeed, it had been 
when first issued, the previous evening. 

Although Santa Anna had so well divined the purpose of the Ameri- 
can leader in preparation for the assault upon Molino del Key, he was 
not so successful in penetrating his next movement. Gen. Scott, deter- 
mining to attack the city at the western gates of Belen and San Cosme, 
for the purpose of deceiving the Mexican general, arranged, in open 
daylight, his forces, on the llth, before the southern gates of Piedad 
and San Antonio, with part of his artillery, while he sent a sninller 
force to take possession of the previously captured position of .Mdliiio 
del Rey, as though he was about to attack Chapullepec; and in fur- 
therance of tills plan, on the same night he planted three ballorrics, 
and, on the morning of the 12tli, opened a heavy fire upon the latter 



BATTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC. 535 

fortress, which was kept up during the day, with much injury to the 
works and loss to the garrison; among others, severely wounding 
Gen. Don Nicolas Soldaaa, whose loss, at this time, was much felt. 
Seeing the cannonade so incessant. Gen. Bravo concluded that the 
main attack was to be at that point, and sent to Santa Anna, in answer 
to a message irom the latter, for reinforcements. The commander- 
in-chief sent to him the battalion of San Bias, under Col. Xicotencatl, 
which was posted in the woods, outside of the fortress, not exposed 
to the enemy's fire. Toward evening, however, Santa Anna becom- 
ing convinced that the fire upon Chapultepec was only a feint of the 
American commander, and that the real attack would be at the south- 
ern gate, witlulrew this battalion to support that position : to which 
he also moved all his available artillery, leaving, however, the ten 
pieces at Chapultepec, to return the fire of the enemy — the only force 
left in the fortress being the 1 Ith regiment of the line, under Gen. 
Perez, and the battalion from Toluca. The latter, however, being 
excessively panic-struck from the effect of the American fire, deserted 
their posts whenever opportunity offered. 

The force of Americans, under Gen. Twiggs, before the southeni 
gates, appeared as if momentarily about to make an assault upon the 
city, while their fire of shot and shell was kept up without intermis- 
sion, until near evening, when the fire upon Chapultepec was by f;ir the 
most severe. This circumstance still confirmed the opinion of Santa 
Anna, that this last was but a feint — thinking that after the severe loss 
the Americans had sustained at Molino del Rey, that they would make 
no serious effort in that quarter. He visited Chapultepec in the even- 
ing, communicated with Gen. Bravo, and promised him assistance, if 
it should be needed, and again returned to the southern gates. 

The fire of the American artillery, vi^hich, in addition to their own 
pieces, had been increased by so many captured guns, having been 
kept up with great vigor during the day, ceased at night, and both 
armies slept upon their arms — thus ended the 12th. 

Now came the final struggle. On the morning of the 1.3th, at half 
past five, the American artillery reopened its fire before tlie southern 
gates, and also from their batteries to the west, upon Chapultepec ; 
this fire was returned with spirit. Santa Anna again placed the main 
body of his troops, near the southern gate of San Antonio, and awaited 
the attack. But before this gate, notwithstanding the heavy fire of 
artillery kept up, was only one division of the Americans, under Gen. 
Twiggs; and even a brigade of that, Gen. Smith's, was silently on its 
march toward Chapultepec, where, already in position for an attack, 
were three divisions of the Americans, under Generals Pillow, Quit- 



53(5 liAT'JM.K OF C]I\l'LJI,'J"[:iM':C. 

mail, and Woilli, wliilo Scott liinisolf was iirar, (lirccting the opera- 
tions ; thus, only a sinirlc brigade, that of Cul. Itiley, reniaincul before 
the southern gate, keepinjr Santa Anna in susfjense, and witlulrawing 
his attention from (Miapuhepee. Tlie coniiuaiuler of that lorlresa. 
Gen. IJravo, se(;in<r tlie stroiitr (hspo.sition ol" the enetny about liini, 
was yet of a (bircrciil opinion IVoni Saiila Anna, ami still belu:viiijr an 
assault was about to be niacU; in I'oree upon that j)lace, sent to iiim 
for reinCoreeuients, and received the brigades of Cenerals Kangel and 
Peila iJarragan; but these were directed oidy to take position at the 
fool ol' the liill of Chapultepec;, as a i)reeautionary measure. 'J'o the 
earnest requests of Gen. IJravo, thai they would come into the lortress, 
they answered that they could only do so by the ordcirs of the J*re- 
eident. This order not being givtin. Bravo was left to defend himself. 
At a little before I) A. M., the heavy firing of the enemy upon the 
fortress momentarily ceased (the concerted signal of attack), and im- 
mediately the division of Gen. Pillow moved from near Molino del 
Key on the west, and came up through the wood, carrying, with the 
bayonet, a strong redoubt, situ.ited about midway, and, impetuously 
advancing upon the ditches and walls of the fortification, tiioiigii sutfer- 
iug heavily, threw up their scaling ladders, and rapidly following ea(rh 
other, poured upon the walls. 

At the sanu! time, another division, under (.'en. Quitman, quickly 
approaching from the southeast, forcing their way over a long <'ause- 
way, cut with ditches and fortilied with barricades, overcoming all 
obstacles, and strewing their path with dead and wounded, rushed 
impetuously up that side of the hill, and entering the outer inclosure 
of the fortress, pressed into the desperate encounter, scaling the walls, 
and seemed to disregard the murderous lire! poured upon them, and to 
court only death. 

Simultaneously, at the connnand of Scott, Gen. Worth rapidly ad- 
vanced from the west, where he had been stationed in rear of I'illow, 
passed around the northern base of the hill, joining a pari of Pillow's 
division, already engaged with the right flank of the force under Gen- 
erals Itangel and IJarragan, routed it, and attatdiing their main body, 
sent them (lying along the causeways in retreat toward the city, at the 
same moment that the fortress above, after nearly three hours defense, 
had yielded to the assault of Quitman and Pillow. Numerous flags 
of the Anuu-icans were rapidly appearing from the battlements, amid 
the long and joyous shouts of the victors in full possession. 

Gen. Perez was killed, Gen. Bravo and a thousand of his command 
were taken prisoners, with all the artillery and ammunition. So sud- 
den and furious had been the final assault, that not even the mines 



FINAL AT'l'ACK O.N TiiK CI'IT. 537 

were fircfl, whifl) had boen prepared under ground at the west of 
the fortress, U) l)h)w up the Ainerieans as they approaclied ; for these 
had moved so rapidly over the trearJierous surface, in pursuit of the 
fuf^itives from the captured redoubt, that if they had l)een fireri, the 
explosions would have destroyed as many friends as enemies. I'ut at 
Bravo's command to fire them, the engineers in whose charge they 
were, had disappeared in the confusion of the l)attle, nor could they be 
found before the enemy were scaling the walls in every direction. 

The surprise and mortification of Santa Anna at seeing liirnsclf 
so completely outgeneraled by Scott, and Chapultepec in possession 
of the enf;my, were extreme; but with the utmost haste he detached 
the greater portion of his troops from their position near the gate of 
San Antonio, to meet the Americans, who were now rapidly advancing 
upon tfie g;iritas of San Cosme and Helen, he leaving only a small por- 
tion at tlie former garita, to defend it against the threatened assault of 
(ien. Twitrgs ; but even that was not necessary, for (ien. Sr-oit, in a 
few moments after the capture of (Jhapultepec, ascended that fortress, 
and looking down on the city and the long causeways which led to it, 
covered by the flying battalions of Generals Rangel and Barragan, 
closely pursued by his own troops under Gen. Worth and Quitman — 
the former making for San Cosme to the left, and the latter toward 
Belen,from there directly opposite — imrhediat(;ly sent to their support 
all his available troops, reserving only one shattered regiment, the 
15th, to garrison the fort; dispatching an order to (ien. Twiggs, who 
in compliance, withdrew his forces and artillery, and hastily marched 
for the scene of actual engagement. 

'J'he tables were completely turned upon Santa Anna. This stroke 
of policy of Gen. Scott had deranged all his preparations for defense; 
lie had but few guns at the western gates, nor was there time now to 
remedy his mistake with regard to the intended point of attack. 

LeadinL' his forces rapidly up, at one P. M. he met the column un- 
der Gen. Quitman, furiously fighting for the possession of the garita 
of Belen, having tnken the defenses on the causeway. The assault 
was vigorous — the defense desperate and bloody. Leaving this post, 
under command of Gen. Terres, supported by a strong reserve under 
Gen. Garay, and the guns of the citadel of Cuidadela, Santa Anna 
hastened further on, to the garita of San Cosme, where the tmops of 
Gen. Worth, already in possession of several buildings, were fighting 
fiercely with Gen. Rangel, avoiding as much as possible the terrible 
fire poured upon them, by digging through the walls of the houses. 
All efforts to stay their progress were unavailing; blood flowed in tor- 
rents, but the enemy gained house after house, advancing into the city. 



538 SURRENDER OF THE CAPITAL. 

Night closed tlie fighting at the gate of Belen — Quitman throwing up 
tiefcns's, and mounting the artillery sent to him. While at San 
Cosmo, Worth at dark having obtained tiie full entrance, planted a 
heavy mortar and a piece of artillery, which threw shot and shells 
in numbers into the heart of the city. 

At 10 1*. M. Santa Anna called a council of ofTicers at the citadel 
of Cuidadela, and because of the foothold which the enemy had ob- 
tained within the city, it was determined to evacuate it with the re- 
maining troops, and retire by the northern road to Guadalupe, three 
miles distant. In this council, overwhelmed by his failures, Santa 
Anna lost his temper, and accused Gen. Terres and other officers, for 
that which he had oidy to blame himself — in being so deceived by the 
feints of Gen. Scott. 

The retreat commenced at midnight, and soon after, Maj. Palacios, 
with a deputation from the ayuntamiento (common council), was sent 
by that body to Gen. Worth, with an ofl'er of surrender. Being 
referred to Gen. Scott, at Tacubaya, the firing ceased while they pro- 
ceeded to that place. Arriving there, at four o'clock on the morning 
of the 14th, they demanded terms of capitulation, which were refused, 
but protection promised, and they returned. 

On the morning of the 14th September the two divisions of the 
American army entered the city — Worth halting at the Alameda or 
public garden, and Quitman after taking possession of the Cuidadela 
proceeding to the square in front of the national palace, upon which 
he hoisted the stars and stripes. Directly after Gen. Scott had ar- 
rived at the palace, a general insurrection took place, and furious eflbrts 
were made to expel the Americans. This raged with tiie utmost 
violence for over twenty-four hours, witli great loss of life on both 
sides, but more especially among the citizens ; for the exasperated 
soldiers broke into every house from which a shot liad been fired, 
and put to death many there found within, and destroyed the prop- 
erty. Hy this severe measure, which was oidy adopted as a last ex- 
tremity, the powerful insurrection was quelled. During it Santa 
Anna and Gen. Alvarez, each at the head of a body of cavalry, reen- 
tered the city ; but finding that all was lost, again retired — leaving the 
Americans in quiet possession. 

Tims, had this small and gallant army, to the astonishment of the 
■world, cut its way from the coast to the capital ; and after the batdes 
ami capture's of Vera ("ruz, Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Perote, Puebla, 
Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molino del Key, Chapultepec, 
Belen and San Cosme — a series of fights by which they had been re- 
duced to six thousand — were in quiet possession of a ciiy of two hun- 



SUMMAUV OF AMERICAN LO«S. 539 

dred thousand iahabitants. Their losses and achievements in these 
late battles, arc thus recapitulated by Gen. Scott, in his dispatch to 
goveinnient : 

August 10, 20, — Killed, 137, includin<r 14 oHicers. Wounded, 
877, includinfr 62 o/licers. Missing, pro!)ably killed, 38 rank and 
file. Total, 1052. 

September 8. — Killed, 1 1(5, including 9 officers. Wounded, GG5, 
including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 789. 

September 12, 13, and 14. — Killed, 130, including 10 oflicers. 
Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 29 rank and file. 
Total, 862. 

Grand total of losses, 2703, including 383 oflicers. 

On the other hand, this small force has beaten, on the same occa- 
sions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at the 
beginning) thirty-odd thousand men, posted always in chosen posi- 
tions, behind intrenchments, or more formidable defenses of nature 
and art;*kdled or wounded of that number more than seven thousand 
oflicers and men ; taken 3730 prisoners, one seventh officers, includ- 
ing thirteen generals, of whom three had been presidents of the Re- 
public ; captured more than twenty colors and standards, seventy -five 
pieces of ordnance, beside fifty-seven wall-pieces, twenty thousand 
small arms, an immense quantity of shot, shells, powder, die. 

* The Mexican fortifications referred to, according to the report of Capt. Lee, of the 
American engineers, were as follows : 

Penon, 20 batteries, for 51 cannon, and 15 inf. breastworks. 

Mexicalsingo, ... 8 .."... 38 . "... • 1 

San Antonio, .... 7 .."... 24 .".... 2 " 

Churul)Usco, .... 2 ..<'... 15 . "... • " 

(-ontreras 1 .."... 22 . "... . " 

Chapultepec, .... 7 .."... 19 .".... 7 " 

At the city 47 . . " . . 177 .".... 17 

Total defenses, ... 92 batteries, 340 cannon, '12 inf. breastworks. 
To these, must be added as defenses, the numerous canals which surrounded the 
city, and extended on either side of the long causeways. These canals were mostly 
twenty-five feet wide and five feet deep. The Casa Mata ; the strong buildings of 
Molino del Rey ; the adjoining breastworks and battery; and, the strong citatlel of 
Cuidadeia. must also be added to the account. And, also, the fortress-like construc- 
tion of the stone, flatroofed, iron barred, parapetted houses of the city (from which 
alone the American army sulTered much in the assault and subsequent insurrection), 
may be considered as defenses of the most formidable character. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Santa Anna resigns— Pcna y Pena succeeds — Siege of Puebia — Battles of Hua- 
mantla and Atlixco — Santa Anna deprived of command — Santa Anna's " Exposi- 
tion" — Election of President Anaya — Battle of Matamoras — Anaya's term ex- 
pires Pena y Pena again assumes the presidency — Movements of Gerf. Lane — 

Santa Anna's last address — Signing of treaty of peace. — The armistice — Circular 
of Rosa — Santa Anna — Paredes — Jarauta — Zenobia — Alvarez — Almonte — Battle 
of Santa Cruz do Resales — Condition of Yucatan— Treaty ratified by the senate 
of the U. S. — Arrival of American commissioners — Meeting of congress — Ratifi- 
cation of the treaty — Departure of American armies from Mexico — Gen. Herrera 
elected president — Revolution of Paredes and Jarauta. 

General Quitman was immediately appointed governor of the city 
of M(;xi(;o, by Gen. Scott; and a number of orders were issued by 
him, with regard to the popuhition, troops, Alc. ; the most important 
of which was the levying of a contribution upon the capital of one 
hundred and lifty thousand dollars, for the use of the American army. 
This was the first indication to the Mexicans of the decision of the 
government of the United States, to carry on the war in a more 
rigorous manner. 

Santa Anna, in his altered circumstances, was not long in deciding 
upon his course. On the 14th, from Guadalupe, he dispatched circu- 
lars to the governors of the diflerent states, informing them of the 
capture of the capital upon that day. On the I61I1, from the same 
place, he issued a decree, in which he directed tlie meeting of con- 
gress on the 5lii of 0(;tober, at Qnerctaro — one huiulred and twenty- 
five mdcs north of Mexico — as the future scat of govermncnl; and, 
announcing his determination immediately to attack the enemy's line 
of conmtunication from Vera Cruz, as commander-in-chief of the 
army, he resigned the other important authority witli which he was 
clothed, that of president of the republic, and in accordance with the 
provisions of the constitution of 1821, called to assume it, until con- 
gress should elect his successor, Don Emanuel i'cna y I'ena, chief- 
justice of the supreme court of Mexico, to l)e assisted l)y (Jenerals 
Herrer.i and Alcorta. He then ordered II(;rrera, at the liead of about 
four thousand trooj)s, to march to Queretaro, and as soon as tiiat body 
left, he, witli two thousand cavalry under Gen. Alvarez, on the 18th 
(.')40) 



PE\\ y IFAA ASSUMES TUF. PRE iIDr.XCJV. 541 

evacuatod Oiudiiliipe, and coinnipncod his maroh for Piiebla, to a'tar-k 
the American irnrrison thoro, h^aviiij; (he vicinity of the capital in the 
undisputed ]M).-ses,^i()n of the enemy. 

On the 27th of September, Pena y Pena, from Toliica, accepted the 
appointment of the powers of the provisional presidency, and after 
appointiiiir Don liiiis de la Kosa minister of foreign and internal refla- 
tions, issued a circular to the <^overnors of the states, accompanied by 
another from Rosa, urging upon the governors to expedite the meeting 
of the deputies in congress at Queretaro — to preserve order in the 
states, and by all possible means to assist the president "in making 
head against the tremendo\is ditricnlties of his situation," and " in sus- 
taining the independence and nationality of Mexico, and preserving 
from every assault the federal institutions," &c. The president then 
proceeded to Queretaro; many of the members of congress soon fol- 
lowed — some of whom, having been taken prisoners by the Ameri- 
cans, were liberated for the purpose, and provided with passports 
of safety by Gen. Scott. 

Leaving the review of the shattered government, thus attempting to 
reorganise itself, let us follow Santa Anna in his sudden movement 
asfainst the Americans at I^uebla. When the army of Gen. Scott left 
Puebla for the citv of Mexico, on the 6th of August, Col. ('hilds had 
remained as governor, with a detachment of four hundred men, encum- 
bered with eighteen hundred sick. 'J'his little force, in possession 
of the convent and the fortified bights near the city, held the place 
with its popidation of seventy thousand, in perfect quiet, during the 
time in which the batdes of Contreras and Churubusco had been 
fought, and that also consumed by the armistice ; but on the reception 
of the news of the rumored defeat of the Americans at Molino del 
Rey. on the night of the 13th of September, the populace rose, en 
masfie, upon the American garrison. This attack was directed by 
Gen. Rea, a Spaniard by birth, and a good officer, who was then in 
command of about three thousand regular troops ; it was continued 
night and day, without intermission, with cannon shot, Init principally 
musketry. By the addition of the populace his forces increased 
daily, and the fierceness of the attack proportionibly increased. Put 
the little h;ind of AmericTUs seemed determined to die rather than to 
yield. From the bights of Loretto they poured down shot and shell 
upon the citv ; from the convent tliev made desperate sorties upon 
the buildings, from the tops and windows of which they were assailed 
by such a destructive fire ; and in the hottest of the siege, afterward, 
digging though the walls of an entire square, they turned the barri- 
cades in the streets, burned them, and captured the guns. 



542 8IE(:?. OF PUEBLA. 

SaiUa Anna arrived on tlie 22(1, and took the command. His rein- 
forcements increased the number of the assailants to eight thousand 
men, beside the populace. On the 25th he sent a communication to 
Col. Childs by a flag of truce, stating the amount of his army — that 
he had come to relieve the inhaliitants of Puebla from the domination 
of the forces of the United States, from whom they had suffered so 
much ; offered that the garrison might march out with the honors of 
war, and proceed either to join Gen. Scott, at the city of Mexico, or 
return to Perote ; and finally, in case of noncompliance, threatened 
the most rigorous measures, «fec. Col. Childs, in reply, denied that 
the citizens of Puebla had suffered at all from the troops of the Uni- 
ted States — declined the proffered terms of surrender, stating that he 
had the necessary means, and should defend his position to the last. 

For the space of six days and nights succeeding did Santa Anna 
make the most vigorous exertions with his whole force, to dislodge 
the Americans ; but the latter withstood the continued assault with 
the firmness of a rock. There had been no action during the war 
in which the persevering valor and obstinacy of resistance of the 
American troops had been so brillianUy illustrated, as in this contest. 
AVith scarcely time to eat or sleep, they fought without intermission, 
from hour to hour, from day to day — the places of those who fell, in 
exposed situations, were instantly filled by others. 

But another force threatened Santa Anna. Brig. Gen. Lane having 
left Vera Cruz on the 18th of September, had added to his command 
that of Major Lally,* at Jalapa, and was now rapidly approaching 



* Major Lally's force, consisting of near a thousand men, with seventy-six wagons, 
had commenced the march for Puebla, from Vera Cruz, on the 7th of August. It 
having been reported that a million of dollars in gold was to be carried up by this 
train, Padre Jarauta, and Aburto, in command of the guerrilla forces, had, by the pro- 
mise of fifty dollars a man, in case of success, induced three thousand men to join 
their standard. With this force Jarauta, on the 9th, attacked Laily, near San Juan ; 
on the lOlh, at Paso Ovijas; on the 12th, at Puente Nacional ; on the 14th, on the 
road near Plan del Rio; on the 15th, at Cerro Gordo; on the 17th, at Lasanimas. 
Lally having thus fought his way through, arrived at Jalapa on the 20th, with a loss 
of one hundred and five men killed and wounded, not losing a single wagon. A rein- 
forcement of two hundred men under Capt. Wells, however, which had been sent out 
from Vera Cruz with nine wagons of ammunition, on the l.'Jth, to join Major Lally, 
was not so fortunate. Having been attackeil on the 14th and 15th, the forces of Ja- 
rauta entirely defeated them at the national bridge, and cajitured all their wagons, 
with important dispatches. They retreated to Vera Cruz, with the loss of one fifth 
of their number killed, wounded, prisoners, and disabled from the heat and fatigue. 
Having met with this severe reception on the route, Major Lally remained at Jalapa 
until joined by Gen. Lane, a month afterward. 



BATTLES OF lldAM '.NTLA A\U ATLIXCO. 543 

Perot(!, on his march to rohovo llio Americans at Piiehla. This infor- 
mation being coinmnnicatod to Santa Anna, from Jalapa, he withdrew 
half his men, on the 31st of September, with six pieces of artillery, 
from the attack on (^ol. Chihls, and marched to meet Gen. Lane; 
but tiiat general delaying at l*erote longer than Sanla Anna had expect- 
ed, the latter took np his headquarters at Hnaniantla, having given 
orders to Rea to continue the attack upon, and subdue, the small 
garrison under Ciiilds. 'i'here was no cessation to the conflict in 
Puebla. Gen. Rea left no means untried to subdue tlie garrison : nor 
did he retire until driven away by the approach of Lane, after the 
result of the battle fought by Santa Anna. 

Gen. Lane, with about two thousand men, and two batteries of artil- 
lery, with a large wagon train, approached near Ihiamantla on the 8th, 
and on tlie following morning, leaving the train on the road in charge 
of part of his men, with the remainder he rapidly marched toward 
Huamantla, at the moment that Santa Anna had withdrawn most of 
his fop-e from thence for the purpose of surprising Lane on the road. 
The Mexican troops left in town were at first dispersed by the Amer- 
ican dragoons ; but the Mexican general having ordered the main body 
of his force to their support, the Americans were repulsed, until in turn 
supported by their infantry, when the Mexicans \vere routed, with 
the loss of two pieces of artillery, and many killed and wounded. 
American loss, thirteen killed, eleven wounded (and according to Santa 
Anna's report, twenty-four prisoners). 

Gen. Lane withdrew from the town after the battle, and the next 
day resumed his march, entering Puebla on the 13th ; the last of the 
besieging forces retiring to Atlixco, and thus relieving the garrison, 
which had heroically sustained the attack of ten times their num- 
ber for thirty days and nights. The Americans, thus reinforced, 
now becaine the assailants. Gen. liane, on the 19th, maiched toward 
Atlixco, ten leagues from Puebla, where the division of Rea had re- 
tired, and where the legislature of the state was then in session. He 
encountered the troops of Alvarez and Rea, and after a rumiing fight 
— in which the latter retreated — came upon the hiL'hts overlooking 
the town after sunset, and, by a bright moonlight, cannonaded the 
pl-ice, by a well directed plunging fire, for nearly an hour, which 
caused great destruction. The Mexican troops continued their flight, 
joined by tlie meml)ers of the legislature and most of the inhabitants. 
The toM'n was spared, on the application of the members of the 
ayuntamiento ; was occupied that night, and searched for arms the 
next morning, after whicli the invaders returned to Puebla. This 
blow upon Atlixco, where many guerrilla parties had been fitted out, 



544 GOVERNORS SUMMONED TO QUERETARO. 

and where :i number of the principal opponents of peace iiad retired, 
struck much terror into the minds of all of these. 

TIk; batUe of Huamantia was the close of the contests of Santa 
Anna with iUc armies of the United States. His troops were desert- 
ing him, and, in one week after that action he rt^ceived a notice from 
Pena y Pena, through Rosa, directing him to turn over the command 
of thf! army to (icn. Kincon, who had been exclianged ; or, until 
that general should arrive, unto (icn. Alvarez; and himself await 
the action of a court martial, before which to give an account of the 
numerous battles he had lost. This direction, so humiliating to him, 
he obeyed ; and, turning the command over to Gen. Alvarez, took 
leave of his troops in an address, dated at Huamantia, October 16th, 
and retired to Tehuacan. 

The events of the succeeding tliree months, or until the conclusion 
of the treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico, are not 
in themselves of so important a nature as those that have been rela- 
ted. President Pena y Pena arrived at Queretaro on the 12th of Oc- 
tober, and appointed as his secretary of war Gen. Mora y Villamil. — 
'~'n the 14th, Senor Rosa addressed another appeal to the deputies 
of congress, endeavoring to assemble that dilatory body. On the 
20th, in the name of tlie president, he summoned the governors of the 
States of Puebla, Mexico, Queretaro, Miclioacan, (inanajualo, Jalis- 
co, San Luis Potosi, and Zac^atecas, to meet the executive on the 10th 
of November, to consult on the exigencies of the nation. Pena y 
Pena — after suspending Santa Anna, and ordering Gen. Paredes (who 
had published a long address to his countrymen, from Tulancingo), into 
a nominal state of arrest at Teloloapan, and directing a court martial to 
investigate the conduct of Gen. Valencia at the battle of Contreras, 
according to his request — turned his attention to the state of the army ; 
and attempted some reforms, which soon drew down upon him con- 
demnation from the officers and soldiers thereof: to but litde purpose, 
however, as they failed to intimidate him. 

Among the deputies who were in attendance at Queretaro, the same 
dissensions appeared as formerly, wilh the addition of the formation 
of a new party, the Santanistas, or adherents of Santa Anna, who 
united their influence with the Puros, against the Moderados. The 
Monarquistas had no voice in the assembly, though they were most 
busy througiiout the nation in disseminating their views, and with 
much apparent success. 

While waiting for the assembly of a full quorum of congress, the 
deputies carried on the strife of politics ; in which they were joined 
by the various papers of the city of Mexico, and tl;e different states, 



dispe:i>I().\ of gi;errili-a forces. 545 

many of which parliciilurly ojiposcil the president's oflbrts to reform 
the army. 

'J'lie remnaiil of the .Mexican army, in all its divisions, at liii.s 
time, was about as follows : At Queretaro, under Generals Lombar- 
dini and Reyes, one thousand men ; Santa Anna's army, now under 
Gen. Rincon, four thousand ; the garrisons of Ma/atlan, La Sonora, 
and Acapulco, four thousand ; in the states of Tobasco and ("hiapas, 
two thousand; under Urrea, Carvajal, and Canales, two thousand; 
the brigade at Potosi, commanded by Gen. Fillisola, three thousand; 
at Toluca, under Gen. Pena y Barragan, two thousand ; in the state of 
Oaxaca, one thousand ; the whole force of the guerrillas from Vera 
Cruz to Puebla, three thousand ; total force, thirty-one thousand men. 
The last item, however, of guerrilla forces, was shortly after this very 
much reduced by the attacks and operations of Gen. Lane, at Puebla, 
and Gen. Patterson, at Vera Cruz and Jalapa. Lane having a force 
of above 3000 men at Puebla, entirely prevented Generals Rincon,' 
Alvarez, and Rea, from making any demonstration in that state ; while 
Gen. Patterson, with a force of nearly 4,000, broke up the various 
rendezvous of the guerrillas about Vera Cruz, and completely dispersed 
them. He garrisoned the strong hold at the national bridge ; and leav- 
ing Vera Cruz with his main .body, on 2d November, marched on 
to Jalapa, and louted them from that neighborhood — executing two 
of their oflTicers, who had f)roken their parole, having been prisoners 
before. By the large number of American troops pouring into Verii 
Cruz, and these vigorous operations of their generals, the guerrillas 
were entirely dispersed, for the time. Padre Jarauta, pressed by 
Gen. Patterson, and knowing that in a few days Gen, Butler would 
issue from Vera Cruz, with yet another army of near 6,000 men, 
became disheartened, and on the 4th of November sent an offer of 
surrender to Gen. Patterson, at the national bridge ; but not liking 
that general's answer, he left that section of country, with but a few- 
followers, and proceeded to the vicinity of the city of Mexico, where 
he was again pursued, routed, and wounded, by the troops of Gen. 
Jiane, whose name became terrible to the guerrillas. So completely 
was the road abandoned by them, at this period, that the first Ameri- 
can return train, consisting of six hundred wagons and a proper es- 
cort, which left the city of Mexico on the 1st of November, for Vera 
Cruz, was not, during its passage of fifteen days, attacked in a sin- 
gle instance, or annoyed at any of the passes by a single hostile shot. 

* Generals Rincon and Bravo being prisoners to the Americans, had been exchanged 
for Captains Heady, Clay, and others. 

35 



546 SANTA ANNA'S " EXPOSITION ' TO CONGRESS. 

The inhabitants of the whole section of coiuury, from tlie capital to the 
coast at Vera Cruz, were completely dispirited. A garrison of Amer- 
icans, under Col. Hughes, was again placed in Jalapa. 

A quorum of deputies having arrived at Queretaro, the Mexican 
congress opened its session on November 2d. Senor D. Jose Maria 
Godoy, from Guanajuato, was elected president of the body; and 
Senor D. Jose Maria Hernandez, from Durungo, vice president. 

One of the first subjects presented to the congress assembled, was a 
bold and novel communication or " Exposition," as he termed it, from 
Gen. Santa Anna, written on November 1st, from his retirement at 
Tehuacan. Always fond of power, and smarting under the order of 
Pefta y Pefia, deposing him from the command of the army, and in- 
formed of all the proceedings at Queretaro — of the increase of the San- 
tanistas — of the disaffection of the multitude of army officers at the 
attempted reforms, he judged it a proper time to regain his lost sta- 
tion. In a communication to Pefia y Peha of the same date as hi.s 
" Exposition," he contended, that he never did resign the office of 
president in explicit terms; that he only temporarily submitted to a 
division of that office from the power of commander-in-chief, with 
which he again took the field , and that the circumstances which led 
to that having ceased, he now claimed the office of president, until 
congress should, in due form, accept his resignation then given, and 
now repeated, &c., &c. 

In the " Exposition " he urged the same positions, and finally ask- 
ed congress to accept his resignation in legal form. 

The cflect of this would have been, to pronounce Poi\a y Peila'r^ 
administration an usurpation of power; and, consequently, his acts — 
and among them the deposing of Santa Anna, void ; and would tlui.s 
have left the latter, after his resignation of the office of president 
had been accepted, yet at the head of the army. The plan of Santa 
Anna was, however, unsuccessful; and he still remained at Tehuacan. 

Notwithstanding the strenuous efibrts of the Puros and Santanista.s, 
the Moderados triumphed in the election. The ibrmer president sub- 
stitute, Anaya, was elected to the presidency, to occupy that station 
until the counting of the votes from the difVerent states, which had 
been postponed, as before mentioned, by the influence of Santa Anna, 
until January 8lh, 1848. 

The administration of Anaya thus continued only two months. 
He retained the ministers of Pena y Peha in ofiice, adding to the cabi- 
net that personage himself. The whole tenor of the acts of his term 
were towards the completion of a peace with the United States; and 
a secret communication was opened with Mr. Trist, the commissioner 



ET.ECTION OF IMlEylDENT ANAYA. 547 

of the Uiiitod Stiiles, for that meeting which resulted in the appoint- 
ment of commissioners by Anaya for that purpose ; and by the mid- 
dle of December, these negotiations, based on the former proposals of 
the American commissioner, were in a state of forwardness; entirely 
unknown, however, to the body of the nation, or to the disaHected 
parties. 

The Mexican congress having, after a session of a few days, made 
provision for a new congress to be assembled on the Isl of January, 
1848, closed its labors. Most of the members dispersed; all the op- 
posing leaders, and many of the old deputies, however, remaining at 
Queretaro. Against Anaya's course, and ajainst a peace, the Puros, 
headed by (Jomez Farias, issued a strong manifesto; while the San- 
tanistas endeavored to get up a pronunciamento, or revolution, in 
which they were joined by the disaffected oflicers of the army, who 
saw in a continuation of the war their only hope even of subsistence. 
The firm front, however, of the president, who called together the 
faithful troops, and planted artdlery in the streets, gave no hope of 
success to them, while the manifesto of the Puros was productive 
of but little effect. The nation generally, especially near the scenes 
of action, were becoming wearv of the war, and at heart in favor of 
peace upon any honorable terms. To this, however, there were many 
exceptions. 

While the assembly of governors of states, which had been directed 
by Pciia y Peiia, had resolved, generally, to support the existing ad- 
ministration of Anaya, by assistance in funds and influence, and in 
keeping order in the various departments ; and while the governor of 
the state of Puebla, Senor Don Isunza, had, without request, sent in 
to Governor Childs, at the city of Puebla, all the American prisoners 
under his control ; — the states of Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, and .la- 
lisco, influenced by the Puros and Santanistas, formed a coalition for 
the purpose of carrying on the war by themselves, and throwing 
embarrassments in the way of the administration. Santa Anna, too, 
from Tehuacan, sent in his ofTicinl accoiuit of the battles wliich result- 
ed in the loss of the capital ; excusing his own p^irt, saying not a word 
of his own failure in anticipating the designs of the enemy, but laying 
the whole fault of the loss of (3hapultepec at the door of General 
Bravo. This produced much effect among the oflicers of the army 
and Santanistas generally, and drew from Bravo a long defense of his 
conduct. President Anaya, fully sustaining the action of his prede- 
cessor Pena y Pena, with regard to Santa Anna, and disregarding the 
united action of the Puros and Sant inistas, firmly held on his way, 
supported by his cabinet, determined to have peace concluded ; — 



548 OPERAT10N8 OF THE AMERICAN TROOPS. 

the other opposition to his policy, though not shown at Queretaro, was 
widely extending itself under the action of tlie Monarquistas. Padre 
Jarauta, now arrived in the valley of Mexico, joined this party ; and 
meeting Parades, entered into a full compact to support him ; though 
he remained for the present to act with General Rea, in command of 
guerrillas, against the Americans. 

Although the commissioner of the United States was in communica- 
lion with those of Mexico, and a treaty was in a state of forwardness, 
the operations of the American forces did not appear to have reference 
toward the immediate conclusion of a peace. The President of the 
United States had officially announced that the powers of the commis- 
sioner were ended, and that he was recalled.* Troops more nume- 
rous had been poured into the southern portion of Mexico. The 
northern army, under General Taylor, had been weakened to 
strengthen the southern, to such an extent, that that general had left 
the command to General Wool, and returned to the United States. 
While large bodies were arriving every day at Vera Cruz, General 
Lane, General Patterson, General Butler, and General Marshall, were 
sweeping on with new forces from the coast to the capital. Already 
the American army in the south numbered nearly thirty tliousand 
men ; while fresh troops in New Mexico, under General Price, had 
eflectually subdued all symptoms of rebellion, and again were advan- 
cing upon Chihuahua. The forces of the Americans had also been 



* The efforts of the .'American commissioner to negotiate a ])eace were great and un- 
remitted, but appeared to be made more on his own account than on that of his govern- 
ment. No sooner had the American army triumphantly entered the capital, than Mr. 
Trist, under date of September 20, addressed a note to the govcrniiient of Pena y Pena, 
with thi' information that he was still ready to negotiate terms of peace. This com- 
munication was for some time unanswered ; and on the 3 1st of October, the reply of 
Rosa, the Mexican minister, was, that with every desire for peace, he doubted whe- 
ther any good results would be accomplished. Three weeks after this time, on the 
22d November, Pena y Pena, then secretary under Anaya, by direction of the latter, 
again wrote to Trist, reviewing all past correspondence, appointing commissioners, 
<&c. The American commissioner replied on the 24th, that his authority was revo- 
ked, and himself recalled. (This had been twice done by the American government, 
once under date of October 2d, and again on October 26th.) Three days after this 
re[)lv to Anava's administration, Trist replied to his own recall, and dispatched that 
to Washington City; then renewed the correspondence with Pena y Pena, through 
influence of a mediating party at Queretaro, and declared that he would j)ersonalIy 
assume the responsibility of concluding a peace with the Mexican government, if they 
were strong enough to make it. This led immediately to the appointment of com- 
missioners for that purpose, who, on December 9th, met at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near 
Mexico. 



BATTLE OF MATAMOROS. 549 

increased in California ; while the strontr port of Mazailan, on llu; Pa- 
cific, afler a lonjr l)lockade, had fallen before the squadron of (\)ni- 
modore Shulirick. Th(> American frigate Congress, the sloop of 
war Portsmouth, and one small merchant brig, all under the command 
of Commodore Titvallette, had appeared before the port of Cuaymas, 
also on the Pacific, on the 1 5th October, and planting mortars on 
the islands in the harbor, on tlie 19th cannonaded and bombarded that 
town, and took possession of it. 

General Rea, who, by order of the president, now commanded in 
the state of Puebla, had established his head quarters in the town 
of Matamoros, fifty-five miles from the city. His force consisted of 
near eight hundred men, with three pieces of artillery. Early in the 
morning of the 23d of October, he was surprised by the American 
general. Lane, who had marched during the night from Puebla, with 
one hundred and sixty mounted men and one piece of artillery. The 
suddenness of tliis unexpected attack completely routed the forces 
of Rea, which precipitately fled from the streets, with the loss of sixty 
men ; leaving their artillery, a great quantity of small arms and ammu- 
nition, one hundred horses, and twenty-one American prisoners who 
had been in their hands. 

Lane remained in the town during the day and the next night, occu- 
])ied in destroying the stores, &c.; and on the morning of the 24th 
commenced his return for Puebla; but was met by the whole fijrce 
of Rea in the mountain pass of Galaxra, and another battle ensued. 
The advance of the Americans drove in that of Rea, but were forced 
to retire before the main body of the Mexicans ; but, on being sup- 
ported by their artillery, Rea withdrew from its range, and confined 
his operations to harassing the Americans as they continued their 
march towards Atlixco, near which place he drew off his command ; 
and the Americans, having accomplished their object, returned to 
Puebla. 

The character of the war had now changed ; and the American gov- 
ernment declared that the conquered country should thereafter bear 
the burdens of the war. 

Measures more strict were at once ordered by General Scott, with 
regard to the guerrillas, directing such to be shot when taken, as well 
as those who had before broken their parole. On account of the 
frequency of ihc latter occurrence, he had refused to parolr llie nu- 
merous prisoners he had taken at the battles near the city, until the 
Archbishop of Mexico interceded \'ov tliem, and administered to them 
each the oath, granting them a certificate signed by himself and tlie 
first alcalde of the city, and being himself rc*[)'iiisible for them. This, 



550 ASSESSMENTS LEVIED BY AMERICAN GENERAL. 

together with tlie summary punishment of ihe officers sliot at Jalapa 
by General Patterson, had a strong efl'ect upon the people of the 
country. Though at Orizaba a strong guerrilla force still remained, 
under tlic command of (Jolonel Zenobia, who, a little after this lime, 
on January 4th, at Santa Fe, near Vera Cruz, making an attack on 
the rear of an American train, under Colonel Miles, killed many 
Americans, and captured three hundred pack mules bearing near one 
hundred thousand dollars worth of property. 

On ihe 31st of December, llie American commander issued an 
order levying assessments on the several Mexican states as follow, in 
article 1st of said order: 

Head Quarters of the Aumv, J 
Mexico, December 31, 1847. 5 
[General Order— No. 395.] 
1. To support, in part, tlie military occupation of the republic of Mexico by the 
army of the United States, the several states of this republic, already occupied, and 
others as they shall become occupied, are, or will be assessed, by the year, in dollars, 
as follows : 

Chihuahua, $49,188; Coahuila, $5,059 ; Chiapas, $21,692 ; Durango, $85,.556; 
Guanajuato, $255,876; Jalisco, $236,338 ; Mexico, state and federal district, $068,- 
332 ; Michoacan, §287,712 ; Nueva Leon, $50,437 ; Puebla, 424,276 : Oaxaca, $84,. 
100; Queretaro, $85,944; San Luis, $11 1,260; Sinaloa, $33,524; Sonora, $5,000 ; 
Tobasco, $59,060; Tamaulipas, $71,332; Vera Cruz, $271,548; Zacatecas and 
Aguas Calientes, reunited, $249,076. 

[By the second article, all transit duties were abolislied, and the 
tobacco monopoly ; the third article made the governors and revenue 
collectors responsible for the amounts ; article fourth, provided that 
the said sums should become due, from any state, from the first day 
of the month in which the American troops occupied the same ; fifth 
article provided, that part of the amount might be paid in subsistence 
and forage ; sixth article declared, that in case of failure in payment 
by any state, the properly of the public functionaries should be seized 
and confiscated to pay it; the seventh article provided, that in case 
the foregoing did not satisfy the demand, that the commanding ofiicer 
of the United States' troops in tlie said state should make the amount 
from the property of the wealthier inhabitants; eighth, declared that 
receipts should be given by the quartermasters, paymasters, and com- 
missaries ; ninth, stated that all the dues heretofore collected, from 
•he tax on gold and silver, for the use of the Mexican government, 
should be continued for the use of the American army; tenth, stated 
the rate of tax on production, on smelting, on assaying, and on coin- 
age, &c. of the precious metals ; eleventh, appointed the places for 
collection of said tax ; t\v(;lfth, made tin; like penaliies for nonpay- 



PEN A Y PEN A ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY. 551 

inent of tliis tax as mentioned in articles sixth and seventh, and pro- 
vided for receipts for the same as in article eighth ; thirteenth, an- 
nounced the intention of sjireading the American troops over the 
repuhlic of Mexico, and oave strong commands to the Amerii'an sol- 
diers for their proper government, &c. ; fonrteenth, declared that the 
laws of war would be observed towards all Mexicans in arms who 
should observe those laws ; but for the treatment of guerrillas, refers 
to the previous order (in which they were to receive no quarters — 
if taken prisoners, to be tried by a drumhead court martial, and if 
found guilty, shot instanter).] 

The promulgation of this order produced a great effect among the 
Mexican people ; many of whom, of all parties, began seriously to 
fear for the preservation of their nationality. 

Several causes of dispute had existed, previous to this, between the 
ayuntamiento of the city and the American governor, General Smith,* 
in each of which the council were forced to yield to the strong arm of 
power. On the 26th of December, the governor dissolved the ayun- 
tamiento, against their will, and installed a new set of menil)ers. 

Immediate measures were taken, by the American commander, for 
the collection of the revenues as mentioned in the foregoing articles. 
A force of a regiment of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and two 
pieces of artillery, under Colonel Withers, proceeded to the silver 
mines of Real del Monte ; and preparations were also apparent 
among the American troops, for their onward movements in occupy- 
ing tlie whole republic. At Queretaro, the population became ex- 
ceedingly alarmed, and many of the families able to do so, removed 
themselves and their efTects far into the interior. 

The 1st of January, 1848, arrived, but no congress was assembled; 
not more than thirty of the deputies could be mustered. The Slh 
came on — they were still unassembled. Pre;^ident Anaya's term of 
office being expired, he relinquished the presidency again into the 
hands of Pena y Peua, who assumed it, as before, by his right of 
chief justice; and ex president Anaya immediately entered die cab- 
inet as minister of war, Don Riva Salacio as minister of justice, 
while Senor Rosa, before in Pena y Pena's administration, was ap- 
pointed as minister of internal and foreign relations. 

The new president showed himself as favorable to the conclusion 
of a peace as his predecessor had been. In a few days after he had 
assumed the direction of afi'airs, a pronunciamento was made l)y Ma- 

• The first governor, General Quitman, left for the United States on the 1st of 
November. 



552 PRUAUNCIAMENTO OF SAN LUIS. 

riaiio Avibi, guvernur of ilie slate of San Luis I'olusi, and a special 
decree issued by hiiu on January 12th, repudiating the acts of the 
government at Queretaro ; declared the ties that bound the states to- 
gether severed ; stating the intention of that state to carry on the 
war; inviting the cooperation of the other states; and calling for a 
convention of such states as might adopt these principles, to adopt a 
chief executive, &lc., &c. This plan, however, met with not much 
favor; the governor being arrested, by order of the legislature, on hia 
attempt to pronmlgate it as a law. The people of the state of Oajaca 
slio-htly responded to it, and a revolutionary movement at the same 
time look place, under the direction of General Alvarez, in the state 
of Mexico, in which the governor, Olaguibel, was deposed ; but this, 
too, soon subsided. The pronunciamento had, however, the effect to 
draw a long message to the people from Peila y I'ena, another from 
Rosa, and a third from General Bustamente, to whom the command 
of the revolutionary forces was offered — all condemning the move- 
ment, and advancing opinions favorable to peace. The latter general, 
immediately after this, was appointed commander in chief of the 
Mexican army, and issued another address to his countrymen, an- 
nouncing that fact. 

The operations of the Americans, though not extensive, were ac- 
tive; notwillistanding the commissioners liad met to treat of peace. 
Gen. Valencia and his aid, Col. Arista, were taken prisoners, on the 
night of January 1st, at the hacienda of the former, by a detachment 
of Americans who were in pursuit of Padre Jarauta. Generals Mi- 
non, Torrejon, and Gaund, were also captured by Col. Dominguez, 
conmiander of a company of Mexicans in the service of the U. States. 
Toluca was taken possession of, on January 12th, by the American 
general, Cadwallader. Cuernavanaca also was occupied by Colonel 
Clark. Jarauta was suddenly attacked, on January 12th, at Teoti- 
huacan, by Col. Hays, eight of his men killed, and himself wounded. 
In the night of the 22d, General Santa Anna, at Tcluiacaii, was 
informed that a force of Americans from tlie capital, under the inde- 
fatigable General Lane, was advancing upon liim by forced marches. 
Hardly had he availed himself of this information to escape with his 
followers, before tlie American troops entered the place. Disappoint- 
ed in securing Santa Anna, who retired to Coscatlan, they proceeded 
on to Orizaba, taking possession of that city and then of Cordova ; 
breaking u[) llie rendezvous of guerrillas under command of Colonel 
Zenobia, and destroying all arms and public .stores. General Lane, 
in returning to Puebla, made a rapid circuit to Teoiihuacan, in pursuit 
of Padre Jarauta and General Rea, cut to pieces a detachment of Rea's 



MOVEMENTS OF GEN. LANE. 553 

force iiiulcr cominaiul of Colonel Falcon, and spread the utmost con- 
sternation tlirougli the entire country. Returning to Mexico on Feb- 
ruary 9th, General Lane, with ihe same command, made a i^ecret and 
rapid march on the 17tli, towards 'J'ulancingo, with the object of ta- 
king (Jen. Paredes prisoner; but that ofTicer esca])ed, by lleeing 
from his house a few minutes before it was surrounded. I'adre Ja- 
rauta, with three hundred men, was at Sequaltaplan at this time ; but 
on the second day after, at sunrise, he, too, was surprised liy the sud- 
den appearance of Lane's diagoons ; his force was routed and thsper- 
sed, with the loss of one hundred killed, more wounded, and fifty 
prisoners taken. Jarauta escaped with only a few men, completely 
dispirited and dismayed. The command of Lane again r(!turned to 
the capital. 

This w^as the last fighting near tfie valley of Mexico ; for, on the 
2il of February, at Guadalupe Hidalgo, the efforts of the respective 
commissioners had resulted in the signing of a definite treaty of peace 
between the Mexican republic and the United States. Aiopyof this 
treaty had been immediately dispatched to ttie government of the Uni- 
ted States at Washington, for ratification, and another to the Mexican 
goverimicnt at Queretaro. By this treaty (which is hereafter inserted 
in fidl, as signed by the commissioners), a military convention was 
agreed upon, for the arrangement of the terms for the suspension of 
hostilities, while the two governments should be acting upon the rati- 
fication of the treaty. The armistice thus agreed upon was not con- 
cluded till the 29th of February, upon which all ofiensive operations 
on the part of the invaders ceased, and they remained quietly in pos- 
session of the captured cities and posts. 

Wliile the American army had been in possession of the capital, 
difficulties had arisen between General Scott, its commander in chief, 
and Generals Worth and Pillow, and other officers, which resulted in 
a court of inquiry being directed by the government of the United 
Slates. General Scott was suspended, and Major General Wm. 0. 
Butler appointed commander in chief. Scott yielded up llie com- 
mand of the American army to Butler on February 19th. 

On the other hand. General Santa Anna's position with the Mexi- 
can government had become still more unpleasant. After tlie reply 
of General Bravo to his official accounts of the battle at the city, he 
again addressed a communication to the congress, complaining that 
his reports were misconstrued ; but l)y this communication he arous- 
ed another opponent. General Terres, who had never forgiven him for 
the gross insults placed upon the latter at the citadel of Cuidadela, on 
the memorable niglit of tlie 13lh September, immediately previous 



nr)! I'osrnoN of (jkn. santa anna. 

to the ex iicii.ilioii (il llic Ciij)!!:!!. 'I'lir power :ni(l popiiliirity of 
N;ml;i Aiiiiii, lor (lie picsciil, wcrr coiiiplclil v ^oiic His iorinor 
(ViciuIn were imw illiii;^ lo prolccl liiiii. Wlicii f1}iii;; IVoiii llic sudden 
:iiiil iiric.\|)t'ctc(l ;ilt:ick of (Jciicr.il liiuic, iiilo llu; .stale of Oajaca, 
llu' piMtpIi' llicic icrii.scd lo slicker liiin, or even allow liiiii lo rc- 
tiiaiii. I'ldiii lia\ Iml; heeii the presideiil of tlie repiililic, a dictator in 
power, coiniiiaiider of all the armies of ijie nation, he saw liiiiiHelf a 
fuf;ilive, refused, by one of tlio snialhu' states, even an asylum from 
llic pursuit of Ins enemies. Wliile in this situation, he addressed 
till' followiui; counuiHiicalion to Anava, minister of war, the last from 
him ; for, .-liord\' afterwards, liavmi; ol)lained his ]iasKporls, conntcr- 
sijrned hy llic American eoniniander, he was escorted from Jalapa 
lo the coast at Antii^ua, near Vera (-ruz, hy a battalion of Amer- 
ican arlillcrv, and there (MuharUed lor Jamaica. Tinu' only will show 
whether he will aj^ain appear upon iIk' chani^ini^ jxililical arena of the 

unhappy repid)lic of Mexico. 

C'AHCAT i./VN, l''cl)riiary 1, 1848. 

Most I. mill III sir : At 'rciuiMciiri 1 vv;is |>rc|)iiritiR X\w. iiccorii|)atiying note, lo be 
forwarded (o your cxcrllfncy, when tlic iicopio wcro siiddcidy invaded early in the 
niorniii); ot the ~ lih nil., iiy tour hundred (hui^ooiis of tlic enemy, nnder the eoininand 
oflien. Lane. They eaiiic iVinii Mexico, and hy the express order of (icn. Scott, to 
take |)osKessii)n of my person in soino way or otlier. (ieii. Lane, l)y hurried marches 
nnd jouriieyinij; hy iiiKlil, KUeceeded in reaciiing the vicinity of 'J'ehuacan vvilliout hc- 
inp; perceived. Kortuimtely, iiowever, I was informed of his npproacii two liours 
iK'fore he came, nnd thu.s was safe from his chilches wilii my family ; nnd with a 
small escort which iiccomi)anied me, I took refnu;e in tlie (own of 'I'cotillan del (^a- 
niiro, where there was a force from the state of Oajaca. My persecutors forced o[)en 
the doors of my hahitalion, aiul .seaiched for me wilii extraordinary activity, exlend- 
iiif; their search to dillerenl houses of the place. The greater part of my Cfjuipnge was 
destroyed hy the invading soldiers, and their chiefs took my wrought silver plate, two 
cones, H new uniform, and otlier things of less value, as I liave heen informed. 

After two days (Jen. Lane proceeded to Orizahn, where lie remains, having left no 
very favoralile reeoljections of himself in Tehuacan. I left for this place in order to 
look about me, and see whither I shall go, and place myself lieyoiul the n'lich of the 
enemy, now that I cannot tight against them, in conseciuence of the mournful condi- 
tion to which I have heen reduced l)y the government, which ordi'red tiiat I should 
throw aside my arms. I am sen.sihlc that sjjiirious Mexicans and the invaders perse- 
cute me at the same lime — the one calling me a Iniiliir, and the othi'r the onli/ ob- 
stacle lo l/ir iifj^otinHim of a jiracc. Fatal [losilion in which 1 have heen placeil hy 
the injustice of several of my fellow citizens. 

When 1 shall have found an usyhim which oilers sutlicieiit security, I shall muke 
it known to your excellency, for the intonnalion of the first magistrate of llu: re|)ublic, 
in coin|)lianee with my duty. 

Iteceive the consideration of my particular esleem. (Jod and I.iitcrty. 

ANTONIO l.oi'ir/ l)K SANTA ANNA. 

To his excellency the .Minister of VVar. 

On the next page is the ** accomjianyin^ note" meiilioned above: 



Jfl.-s AlJl;IJK.S.^ '/O JHi; MIM.<]'K1C OF VVAK. 555 

MohI ixnlliiil mr .- '\')\<: world tiii^i wittifMftd tin: «/ilftrnriity ;irirl forrnalily with 
whif-.h f w;^^ c.illcd to my 'country from llifr fxilf; imf>c>sr,(I upon ti\i:^ in ronM-<jiifnc<> 
of our poliiif-al disrord^. If. ii nolor)f)U'i, A\<.(t, lli;it ahanrlonint^ rny ov/n ronvfinicnr*! 
with pl<-;isijr(T. I hav<; t.«rfn anxious to rri'-ftt the ex ^x-rtMu inn whirh that hij/h honf)r 
crealfwl, to the pxl«!nt of my ahihty, ornittirii; no rnf.aris or HHrrif/c/;. f'rf»vidcn«; i» 
wiJK; arid ju=if. fJul inrornprchfinsflhlf; in it,« works, it has not thifi tirnf; vr»urh-;afed Ut 
favor ItiR Mfxir.an jrfioj.U: with victory, and all fh»:ir s^rf^at and «^xlraordinary ffl'orls have 
f»f!ftn of no a- ail. A r.ifr.urastanr/: iv» larncntahjp, has induwd sornf; dastard »!nftruif:s 
to ^o U> Ihr; r-xt<:nt of rallins; rrir; a traitor, takint; advantaE<»: of thftir \)cirin out of 
harm's way thus to Rtif^rnatiy^; rnfr. 'I'h'-y for^'-t, that wh«'n I was in f»ow»'r and fiad 
the ability to rnakf; ihern suffer for their (jrave fiffenstis, I was (>rfKlit(al i>f cvi-ry favor 
and att<;ntion to them, fn vain do the^ s<;e my fortune ruine^l (<y the hands of the 
invader, arid the frankness with whieh from rny privalf; puryw: f pairl the soldiers wlio 
rnarehe^l in the rarnpai^n, rew.ivin({ no indemnity for the ohvious dangers through 
whieh I ruri on the field of liattle ; and, in a word, that before «»n.s*;ritins( to a defrra- 
dinjf frfta/^e, J preferred the hazards of war. 

I'eeause fortune has denied rne her favors, and f have faile/| in rtr/ enterpris^-s, 
without reward U> the generous frankness with whieh I resii.;ne'l power in r,rder t/< 
rx)ntinue the c.ftiiiffaiiiri., I was suddenly withdrawn from the theater of the war, in 
vifilation of the fundamental law, deeply wounde/l in my ftj^-lings, and atiandoned 
to this retirerrifrrit for more than three months, a.s if for no other reason than that an 
ignominious (;ear^ rnit^ht f»e ever present to my thon^hts. It would seern to have 
b*!en due, als'), that I might patiently sufTer, without f/einjf able to defend my^rlf from 
the outras^es and treaeherous insults which r;/rwardly Mexicans iuf\if;Uu\ upon me 
through the pTesa, in j>res<!TK;e rjf the rnva/lers v/h'/rn J had fous(ht. The divrre/lit, 
whieh onduet s'* infamous always brings upon an afniMe,d eouritry,did not restrain 
them- 7'o this ia t^* te adde/J, that, to enable rne to live out of the way of the l>anditti 
traveling a'')Out here in large j>arties, f have had to sjKmd more than two thousand dol- 
lars, neee^s-Mrjr tr* maintain a small es^vjrt, whr;Ti through the s/-;arrrit,y of means in ifie 
treasury, f serve/J my country without pay. 

L'rider such circumstances, when my »^;rvicx'S se^rn unne/;essary, rny situation has 
Fje<in rnrjst jrainful, no one cjjn justly ri^,T(tttr:h ntf, if f ernpk^y myself in f>r')Vit\'ni(( 
for r/ry inn^yent family; and if, in r:oris*rjuence, I have det^nr mined f^* seek an asylum 
on a foreign s^)ll, where I can pass rny last days in that tranquillity whic}i / can never 
find in the land of my birth, A victim at one time to tfie fury of factions, pers'cut^id 
hy therri without Turrry, f can sr-arr*ly fail t/> doubt, that rny rnisfcyrtune will go f/i far 
rven. as Ut s^e rne deprived of the c/zns'^lation which man has in dying and }><-ing 
buried in the land of his fathers, though / have mr>ist>;ne/] it with rny hlorxJ, and fought 
to have a cemetery. 

'J hi.s c/,riviftion inducAs xnf, to solidf, as I now respectfully do, due perrni.s*iori r>f 
the sijprerrie government, to leave this republic, taking rny journey as circurnst^inces 
shall f<*rrmit. And I exf^rct of your excellency, that this being acx;ord'^) as J ask, that 
you will do rrie the favor of sending f/> this pla/e, with all pf-rssible dispatch, a passport 
in regular form, f can sincerely assure you, that the honorable distin':tioris which 
the magrianirni'y rA the nation has thought me wortiiy of, for s ,ch s^-rvices as I have 
been able to render it, will forever live in rny memory, arid that my gratitude for its 
nngular favw shall ^;e eterrial. 

f have the \utrt(it to '/ffer t/^ y»»jr excellerK-y the corisiderafioos of rriv f^rticular 
e«te*rTn. G'irl and I,if*Tt7. AXTOMO I,OPf:Z DK HAN'fA A.N'.NA. 

Tc* his <xcellen/ry the .Vfinist^rr r>f War, Tf:h'//jr/jri, Jaa'wri/ 22, \H\H. 



556 SUSPExN'SION OF HOSTILITIES. 

Although this was sent to the minister of war on tlie 1st of Febru- 
ary, Santa Anna was not able to leave the country for more than a 
month afterwards. Both the treaty and the armistice had been con- 
cluded before he left the coast, on the 5th of March, after a varied resi- 
dence of nineteen months, from the period of his recall from banish- 
ment by the revolution of Gen. Salas. 

Helow are given in full the terms of the armistice, which termina- 
ted all the operations of the Americans, so destructive of every hope 
of llie Mexican people. Following the armistice is given the treaty, 
as signed by the commissioners. The articles that were expunged 
by the senate of the United Slates are so designated. 

As the armistice closed the hostilities, it is given first, though the 
treaty is of previous date. 
MILITARY CONVENTION FOR I'HE PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION 
OF HOSTILITIES. 

The undersiirncd met, in the city of Mexico, on the 29th of February, 1848, for 
the purpose of com[)lying with the second article of the treaty of peace, which was 
signed al the town of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the '2d instant, in which it is agreed as 
follows : 

" Immediately upon the signature of this treaty, a convention shall be entered into 
between a commissioner, or commissioners, appointed by the general-in-chief of the 
forces of the United States, and such as may be appointed by the .Mexican govern- 
ment, to the end that a provisional suspension of hostilities shall take place ; and that 
in the j)laces occupied by the said forces, constitutional order may be reestablished, as 
regards the political, administrative, and judicial branches, so far as this shall be per- 
mitted by the circumstances of military occupation." 

When, having mutually exhibited and examined their respective full powers, which 
were found lull and satisflictory, they agreed upon the following articles: 

Ahtulk I. — 'I'here shall be an absolute and general suspension of arms and hos-^ 
tilities througliout the whole Republic of Mexico between the forces of the United 
States of America, and those of the United Mexican Slates, and consequently, imme- 
diately after the publication of this convention for the suspension of hostilities, in any 
place or district, no act of hostility of any kind shall be committed by the forces of 
either party ; and if any persun or persons be guilty of any breach of this article, lliey 
shall be individually liable to be tried and condemned under the laws of war. 

AuTici.K 11. — The troops of the United States shall not advance beyond the posi- 
tions already occupied by them, toward any part of the Mexican territory not now in 
their possession, nor extend in any manner the limits of their present oceu[)ation; nor 
shall the troops of the United States advance from the positions now occupied by them ; 
but each party may move freely and peaceably, a.-; they find most ronvenient, within 
the limits of their occupation — neither passing through a territory occupied by the 
other. 

AiiTii i,K III. — All persons of either nation, not belonging to the army, may travel 
without molestation wherever business may call thorn, subject to the laws of the coun- 
try; but all persons belonging to the army, traveling from the posts of one toward 
llios(! of the other, shall be accompanied by a (lag of truce or a safe conduct. 

Ahtici.k IV. — In the Federal District, and in all States occupied by the American 
troops, the collection of all the contributions of war |)rovided for by General Orders 
Nos. :J7(; and 'M■^, of the commander-in-chief of said forces, due or becoming due 
for the months of February and March, shall be suspended until the expiration of this 
convention; and upon the ratification by the Mexican government of thi- treaty of 
peace signed on the 2d inst., all such contributions for the months of February and 
March, and afterward, shall be entirely remitted. Hut the tax on gaming houses, 
liquor shops, and places of public amusement shall continue to be collected as now, 
in each place occupied by the American troops, until the exchange of the ralilicaiions 



THE ARMISTICE. 557 

of the treaty, wilhout prejudice to the ri!j;hts of the municipal authorities to collect 
taxes as heretofore. 

AuTiiLE V. — With a view to tlu; ret-stahUshinenl of constitutional order as regards 
the political, administrative and jiuiici.il branches, it is a^^reed, that in all places occu- 
pied by the American forces, the citizens of the Mexican Republic shall be free to 
exercise all their political rights in electing and installing the general, state, and mu- 
nicipal authorities which bi-long 1.) the territorial divisions fixed by ihe Mexican laws 
and constitution. The American authorities will respect the exercise of those rights, 
and will consider those as duly elected, who are held as such by the MexK'an govern- 
ment. And in like manner will be considered those civil appointments made by the 
Mexican general or state government. 

Ahticle VI. — Whenever an election is to be held in any town or place occupied 
by the American troops, upon due notice thereof being given to the commanding ofl'i- 
cer, he shall march the whole of his force out of the limits of such town or place, 
and there remain witli them until after the hour at which such elections should be con- 
cluded, leaving within the town or place only the force necessary for the security of 
his barracks, hospitals, stores and quarters. 

And no person belonging to the American army shall by any means, or on any con- 
sideration, attempt to obstruct or interfere witii any elections; in order that they may 
be conducted according to the Mexican law. In Vera Cruz the troops shall retire 
within the walls of the fortifications, and there remain until the elections are 
concluded. 

Article VII. — The Mexican authorities, whether general, state, or municipal, 
shall have full liberty to establish and collect, in the places occupied by the .American 
troops, all taxes and revenues in conformity with the laws of the country, to appoint 
all officers and agents necessary for the purpose, to dispose of such revenues as Ihev 
may think fit, without any intervention on the part of the .American troo[)s; excejiting 
from this stipulation, all duties collected in the custom houses, all internal duties on 
transit, and those collected on the precious metals in the places occu|iied. 

But if the Mexican government desire to reestablish the tobacco monopoly, it shall 
give public notice of its intention sixty days, to be counted from the dale of this con- 
vention, in order that the holders of that article may have time to dispose of it. Nor 
shall any tax be laid upon any one belonging to the American army, nor on its 
necessary supplies. 

Aiirici.K VIII — In all places of the Mexican Republic, the revenue and adminis- 
trations of the post office shall be reestablished as they (ireviously existed. All post 
houses, post-offices, public stages, horses, mules, and other means of transportation, 
shall receive liie protection of the forces of both parties, and the whole shall be n)an- 
aged and conducted by the persons appointed in conformity with the law, by the 
Mexican government. 

Ainici.K IX. — Should there be any stock or deposit of tobacco, stamped paper, or 
playing cards or other articles of commerce belonging to the Mexican government, or 
to that of any of the States, in any place occupied by the .-American troo()s, and of 
which they have not taken jiossession ; such articles may be freely taken possession 
of by the Mexican government, and transported in such manner, and to such jilaces, 
as may suit its convenience. 

Ahticlk X. — Immediately after the publication of this convention, all public 
offices not in the occupation of the .American troops, and all archives, uleiisils, and 
furniture of such offices shall be delivered up to the officers of the general or State 
governments; and as soon as other convenient places can be provided for the troops 
and officers now oi-cupying them, all convents of nuns, colleges for eilucalion, ]Hililic 
hospitals, and other buildings for charitable purposes, shall be immediately vacated and 
delivered up. 

AitTici.K XI. — In all places occupied hy the American troo{)s, the federal and state 
courts of justice, and civil tribunals of every grade, may enter freely and wilhout any 
interru()tion, upon the exerci.se of their appropriate functions in conformity with the 
Mexican law. Nor will the American military tribunals, created by their authority, 
take cognizance of, or interfere in any cause or matter, unless a person beli)nging to 
the .American army be originally a party, or the interest of the .American government 
or army be concerned ; in which cases the jurisdiction shall remain in tluin ; and the 
Mexican tribunals recognized and to be respected by the American army, shall be those 



558 THE ARMISTICE. 

(Icsignrtted as legal hy the proper authority of the Mexican general or state govern- 
ments res()Pctively. 

Article XII. — In the federal district there may he organized and arrned, a force 
of six hundred men of police or national guard, to preserve order and maintain police, 
and in other places occupied hy the American forces, the commanders thereof and the 
Mexican civil authorities shall agree on the estahlishment of a convenient force for 
similar purposes. 

AiiTici.K XllF. — In future, as heretofore, in all the places occupied, Mexicans, or 
foreigners resident in Mexico, shall enjoy the protection of person and property guar- 
antied hy the constitution and laws of the Repulilic ; and as has heretofore heen done, 
all supplies taken for the American army shall be paid for at fair prices. 

AuTULK XIV. — The commanding otlicers of the American forces on the northern 
frontier of Mexico shall use all their influence to prevent the incursions of savages 
into the Mexican territory, and the rohbcry and ill-treatment of the inhabitants. And 
the Mexican forces may assemble, op[)ose, an<l |)ursue said Indians, even within the 
lines occupied by the American troops, without being considered as infringing the 
provisions of this convention. 

Ahticlk XV. — The .American army will continue to respect as hitherto, the tem- 
ples and free exercise of the religion of the j)eople of the Mexican Republic, in public 
and private; and church property shall lie suiiject only to such laws as were in exist- 
ence, or may he p)assed by the Mexican government. 

.AiiTicLK XVI. — If any body of armed men be assembled in any part of the Mex- 
ican Republic, with a view of committing hostilities, not authorised by either govern- 
ment, it shall be the duty of either or both of the contracting parties to oppose and 
disperse such body, without considering those who compose it as having forfeited the 
protection of the laws of nations, uidess they have been guilty of robbery or murder. 
The performance of this duty shall not be considered an infraction of this convention 

Ahticlk XVII. — This convention shall remain in force during the period fixed by 
the treaty signed on the 2d instant, at Guadalupe Hidalgo ; or, until one party shall 
give to the other notice of its termination with the following additional delay, viz. : 
Five days for all places within sixty leagues of the capital, seven days for all places 
within ninety leagues, and twenty days for all other places. The ratification of this 
convention shall i)e exchanged at Mexico, within seven days from its signature. 

In faith of which this convention has been signed in quadruplicate by the commis- 
sioners, the day, month, and year first mentioned. 

IGNACIO DE MORA Y VILLAMIL, 
BENITO QUI.IANO, 
W. .1. WORTH, Bvt. Maj. Gen. 
PERSIFOR F. SMITH, Bvt. Brig. Gen. 

This is a true copy of the original, which was approved of in the city of Queretaro 
by the general-in-chief of the army, by order of his excellency the president, which 
was communicated to us with the note of his excellency the minister of war, under 
date of March 4, which follows : 

'< On this day I transmit to the general-in-chief of the army of operations at Que- 
retaro, the following copy: 

" His excellency, the president /jro teni., in a council with the ministers, has exam- 
ined the armistice, agreed between the Mexican Generals Don Ignacio de Mora y 
Vilamil and Don Benito Quijano, and the generals of the .American army, Worth and 
Smith, and you are hereby authorised, as general-in-chief of the army of operations, 
to give your signature to the said document accompanying those two originals, signed 
by the aforesaid generals. 

" .After having ratified these documents, you will forward them to this ofTice." 

In consequence of this order, the general- in-chief has sanctioned the armistice, the 
copy of which I return, with the two copies that you transmitted me, wilh your note 
of the 2d of the present month, to be ratified by the general-in-chief of tiie Worth 
American armv. Be pleased to send it to this ofTice so that it be published in due 
form of law. " IGNACIO DE MORA Y VILLAMIL, 

BENITO QUIJANO. 

Ratified by me, in the city of Mexico, the 5th of March, 1848. 

W. O. BUTLER, 
Major General U. S. A. Commanding. 



THE TREATY. 559 



TREATY 



Of Peace, Friendshiji, liiiiiits, and Setlloinent, between the United States of America 

and the Mexican HepuMic, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second day of 

February, and ratified with the amendments, by the American Senate, March tent!), 

one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight. 

In the name of Ahnighty Ciod : 

The United ^States of America and the United Mexican States, animated by a sin- 
cere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unl)a[)pily exists iietween 
the two republics, and to establish, on a solid basis, relations of ])eace and friendship, 
which shall confer reciprocal benefits mi the citi/.ciis of both, and assure the concord, 
harmony, and ninlual corifid<'nce wherein the two people should live as goofl neigh- 
bors, have, for that purpose appointed their respective plenipotentiaries; that is to say, 
the President of the (Jnited States has appointed N. P. 'J'rist, a citi/iii of the United 
States, and thi^ President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don l,uis Cionzaga 
Cuevas, Don Bernardo ('onto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the saiil Repub- 
lic, who, after a reciprocal coinnuinication of their respective [)Owers, have, under the 
protection of Almighty find, the author of peace, arranged, agreed upon, and siijned t!ie 
following treaty of peace, friendshif), limits, and settlement, between the United States 
of America, and the Mexican Republic. 

AuTicr.E I. — There shall be firm and universal peace between llie United States 
of America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective countries, territo- 
ries, cities, towns, and peo])le, without exception of places or persons. 

AuTicLE II. — Immediately on the signature of this treaty, a convention shall be 
entered into between a commissioner or commissioners appointed by the general-in- 
chief of the forces of the United States, and such as may be appointed by the Mexi- 
can government, to the end that a provisional suspension of hostilities shall lake place; 
and that in the places occupied by the said forces, constitutional order may be reestab- 
lished, as regards the political, administrative, and judicial branches, so far as this shall 
be permitted by the circumstances of military occupation. 

AuTici.E III. — Immediately upon the ratification of the present treaty bv the gov- 
ernment of the United States, orders shall be transmitted to the commanders of their 
land and naval forces, re(iuiring the latter (jirovided this treaty shall then have been 
ralified by the government of the Mexican Republic) immediately to desist from block- 
ading any Mexican ports; and recjuiring the former (under the same condition), to 
commence at the earliest moment practicable, withdrawing all the troops of the iJnited 
States then in the interior of the Mexican Republic, to points that shall be selected by 
common agreement, at a distance from the seaports not exceedinii thirtv leagues; 
and such evacuation of the interior of the republic shall be completed with the least 
possible delay ; the Mexican government hereby binding itself to all'ord every facility 
in its power for rendering the same convenient to the troops, on their march, ami in 
their new positions, and for promoting a good understanding l)etween them and the 
inhabitants. In like manner, orders shall be dispatched to the persons in charge of 
the custom houses at all [)orts occupied by the forces of the United States, requiring 
them (under the same condition) immediately to deliver possession of the same to the 
persons authorised by the Mexican government to receive it, togetlier wilh all bonds 
and evidences of debt for duties on im[)ortalions and on exportations, not yet fallen 
due. Moreover, a faithful and exact account shall be made out, showing the entire 
amount of all duties on imports, and on exports, collected at such cusmm houses, or 
elst;wherc in Mexico, by authority of the United States, from and after the day of the 
ratification of this treaty by the government of the Mexican Republic ; and also an 
account of the cost of collection, and such entire amount, deducting only the cost of 
collection, shall be delivered to the Mexican government, at the city of Mexico, within 
three months after the exchange of ratifications. 

The evacuation of the capital of the Mexican Republic by the troops of the United 
States, in virtue of the above stipulation, shall be completed in one month after th 



560 THE TREATY. 

orders flirrc stipulatod for shall !i;ivp been received by the commander of said troops, 
or sooner if possible 

Airnii.K IV. — Imiiiedialely after Ibe excbange of ratifications of the present treaty, 
all casll<'s, forts, territories, places, ami possessions, which have been taken and occu- 
pied by the forces of the LInite<l States during the present war, within the limits of the 
Mexican Kepublic, as about to be established by the following article, shall be deti- 
iiitely restored to the saiil Repulilic, together with all the artillery, arms, apparatus of 
war, munitions, and other public property, which were in the said castles and forts 
when captured, and which shall remain there at the time when this treaty shall be 
duly ratified by the government of the Mexican Republic. To this end, immediately 
upon the signature of this treaty, orders shall be dispatched to the American officer 
■commanding such castles and forts, securing against the removal or destruction of any 
such artillery, arms, apparatus of war, munitions, or other jiublic property. The city 
of Mexico, within the imier line of intrenchments surrounding the said city, is com- 
prehended ill the above stipulations, as regards the restoration of artillery, apparatus 
of war, iVc. 

The final evacuation of the territory of the Mexican Republic by the forces of the 
United Slates, shall be completed in three months from the said exchange of ratifica- 
tions, or sooner if possible; the Mexican Republic hereby engaging, as in the fore- 
going article, to use all means in its power for facilitating such evacuation, and ren- 
dering it convenient to the troops, and for promoting a good understanding between 
them and tlie inhabitants. 

If, however, the ratification of this treaty by both parties should not take place in 
time to allow the embarkation of the troops of the United States to be completed before 
the commencement of the sickly season, at the Mexican ports on the Gulf of Mexico, 
in such case a friendly arrangement shall be entered into between the general -in-chief 
of the said troops and the Mexican government, whereby healthy and otherwise suita- 

■> places, at a distance from the ports not exceeding thirty leagues, shall be designated 
for the residence of such troops as may not yet have embarked, until the return of the 
healthy season. And the space of time here referred to as comprehending the sickly 
season, shall be understood to extend from the first day of May to the first day of 
November. 

All prisoners of war taken on either side, on land or on sea, shall be restored as 
soon as practicable after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty. Jt is also 
agreed, that if any Mexicans should now be held as captives by any savage tribe within 
the limits of the United States, as about to be established by the following article, the 
government of the .said United States will exact the release of such captives, and cause 
them to be restored to their country. 

Ahthie V. — The boundary line between the two republics shall commence in the 
Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the moutli of the Rio Grande, oth- 
erwise called Rio Bravo Del Norte, or opjiosiie the mouth of its dee|)cst branch, if it 
should have more than one branch emptying directly into the sea : from thence up 
the middle of that river, following the deepest channel, where it has more than one, 
to the point where it strikes the southern boundary of Ni-w Mexico, thenw- westwardly 
along the whole southern boundary of New Mexico (which runs north of the town 
called Paso), to its western termination, thence northward along the western line of New 
Mexico, until it intersects the first branch of the river (Jila (or if it should not intersect 
any branch of that river, then to the point on the said line nearest to such branch, and 
thence in a direct line to the same) ; thence down the middle of the said branch and of 
the said river, until it empties into the Rio (Jolorado ; thence across the Rio Colorado, 
following the division line between Upper and I,ower California, to the Tacitic Ocean. 

The southern and western limits of New Mexico mentioned in this article, are 
those laid down in the map, entitled " Map of the United Mexican States, as orga- 
nised anil defined by various acts of the Congress of said Republic, and constructed 
accordins to the best authorities. Revised edition. Published at New York, in 1847, 
by .1. Disturiiell." Of which map a copy is added to this treaty, bearing ttie signa- 
tures and seals of the undersigned [ilenipotentiaries. And in order to preclude all 
ditlicully in tracing upon the ground the limit separating Upper from Lower Califor- 
nia, it is agreed that the said limit shall consist of a straight line, drawn from the mid- 
dle of the Rio (iila, wdiere it unites with the Colorado, to a point on the coast of the Pa- 
cific Ocean — distant one marine league due south of the southernmost point of the port 



THK TREATY. 561 

of San Dici^o, accnidiiig to tho jilan of said port, mailc in tlic year 17'S"~. In Don 
Juan Pantojcr, seconil sailing nia>ler of tlie !S|)anish fleet, and iui!)!islied at Madrid, in 
the year iSO'-i, in the atlas to tlin voyag(! of the schooners .Sutil and Mexieana, of 
which i)lan a co()y is hereunto added, signed and sealed by the resjici'tivu j)leni- 
potenliaries. 

In order to designate the hnundary line with due precision, upon authoritative maps, 
and to establisli on the ground landmarks which shall show the limits of both republics, 
as described in the present article, the two governments shall each apjjoiiit a commis- 
sioner and a surveyor, who, l)efore the ex])iration of one year from the date of the ex- 
change of ratilication of this treaty, shall meet at the jjort of San Diego, and jjroceed 
to run and mark the said boundary in its whole course to the mouth of the Ivio Bravo 
del Norte. They shall keep journals, and make out plans of their operations ; and 
the result agreed upon by them shall be deemed a part of this treaty, ami shall have 
the same force as if it were inserted therein. The two governments will amicably 
agree regarding what may be necessary to these persons, and also as to their respective 
escorts, should such be necessary. 

The boundary line established by this article shall be religiously respected by each 
of the two re[)ublics, and no change shall ever be made therein, except by the express 
and free consent of both nations, lawfully given liy the general government of each, 
in conformity with its own constitution. 

AuTicLK VI. — The vessels and citizens of the United States shall, in all time have 
a free and uninterrupted passage by the fiulf of California, and by the river (Colorado, 
below its confluence with the CJila, to and from their possessions situated north of the 
boundary line defined in the preceding article; it being understood, that this pas- 
sage is to be by navigating the Gulf of California and the river Colorado; and not 
by land, without the express consent of the Mexican government. 

If, by the examination that may be made, it should bo ascertained to be practicable 
and advantageous to construct a road, canal, or railway, vi'hich should, in whole or in 
part, run upon the river Gila, or upon its right or its left hank, within the space of one 
marine league from either margin of the river, the governments of both republics will 
form an agreement regarding its construction, in order that it may serve eijually for the 
use and advantage of both countries. 

AiiTi(t.K Vn. — The river (Jila, and the part of the Del Norte lying below the 
southern boundary of New Mexico, being, agreeably to the lifih article, divided in the 
middle between the two republics, the navigation of the Gila and of the Hravo, below 
said boundary, shall be free and common to the vessels and citizens of both countries ; 
and neither shall, without the consent of the other, construct any work that may im- 
pede or interrupt, in whole or in part, the exercise of this right — not even for the pur- 
pose of favoring new methods of navigation. Nor ehall any tax or contribution, 
under any denomination or title, be levied upon vessels, or persons navigating the 
same, or upon merchandise, or effects transported thereon, except in the case of land- 
ing upon one of their shores. If, for the ])urpose of making said rivers navigable, or 
for maintaining them in such state, it should be necessary or advantageous to estab- 
lish any tax or contribution, this shall not be done witliout the consent of both 
governments. 

The stipulations contained in the present article shall not impair the territorial rights 
of either repniilic, within its established limits. 

AitTicLK VIII. — Mexicans now established in territories previously belonging to 
Mexico, and which remain, for the future, within the limits of the United State.", as 
defined by the present treaty, shall be free to continue where they now reside, or to 
remove, at any time, to the Mexican Republic, retaining the property which they 
possess in the said territories, or disposing thereof, and removing the proceeds where- 
cver they please, without their being subjected, on this account, to any contribution, 
or tax, or charge whatever. 

Those who shall prefer to remain in said territory, may either retain the title and 
rights of Mexican citizens, or acquire those of citizens of the United States. liut 
they shall be under the obligation lo make their selection within one year from the 
date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty ; and those who shall remain in the 
said territories after the expiration of that year, without having declared their inten- 
tion to retain the character of Mexican citizens, shall be considered to have elected to 
become citizens of the United States. 

36 



562 TIIH TREATY. 

In tlio said territories, property of every kind, now belonging to Mexicans not 
entablished there, shall be inviolably respected. The jjiesent owners, the heirs ol 
these, and all Mexicans who may hereafter uc{jiiire property by contract, shall <'njoy, 
with res[joct to it, guarantees e<iually ample, as if the same belonged to citizenH of the 
United States. 

AiiTicLK IX. — The Mexicans, who, in the territories aforesaid, shall not preserve 
the character of citizens of the Mexican I{epui)lic, coiiforniaiijy with what is stipu- 
latetl in the preceding article, shall lie incor|)orated into the Union of the United 
States, and adniittiul as soon as possi!)Ie, according to the princi|)les of the federal con- 
stitution, to the enjoyment of all the rigiits of citizens of the United States, In the 
meantime, they shall be maintained and prolected in the enjoyment of their liberty, 
their property, and the civil rights now vested in tiieiii, according to the Mexiciin laws. 
With resj)ect to ])olitical rights, tlicir coMdilioii slial! be on an e(|uality with that of the 
inhabitants of the other territories of the United Stales, and at least ecfuallv good as 
that of the irdiabitants of Louisiana and the Floridas, when those provinces, by trans- 
fer from the French Republic, and the crown of Spain, became territories of the 
United States. 

The most amfile guaranty shall be enjoyed by all ecclesiastics and religions corpo- 
rations, or connnunities, as well in the discharge of the olllces of their ministry, as 
in thi; enjoyment of their property of every kind, whether individual or corporate. 
1'his guaranty shall embrace all temples, houses, and edifices dedicated to the Roman 
Catholic worship; as wi'll as all [iroperty destined to its support, or to that of schools, 
hospitals, or other foundations fijr charitable or beneficial jjurposcs. No property of 
this nature shall be considered as having become the property of the American gov- 
ernment, or as subject to be by it disjiosed of, or diverted to other uses. 

Finally, the relations and communication between Catholics, living in the territories 
aforesaid, and their respective ecclesiastical authorilic^s, shall be open, free, and exempt 
from all hindrance whatever, even allhough such authorities should not reside within 
the limits of the Mexican Re[)ublic, as deliued by this treaty ; and this freedom shall 
-continue so long as a new demarkation of ecclesiastical districts shall not have been 
made conformably with the laws of the Roman Catholic church. 

[This ajiicle is expiing:ed, and in its slead, the Senate lias adopted and inserted substan- 
tially, the third article of the treaty with France of 180;f, for the cession of Louisiana, to the 
effect that inhahitants of the ceded territory ahall be incorporated in the Union of the United 
Slates, and admilled as soon as congress shall determine, according to the principles of the 
federal constitution, to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens 
of the United States; and in the nieainimc, they shall be maintained and protected in tlie full 
enjoyment of their liberty, properly, and the religion which tliey profess.] 

AuficLE X — (Expunged.) — All grants of land made by the Mexican governinent, 
or by the comjieient authorities, in territories prtwioiisly ap[)ertaining to Mexico, and 
remaining for the future within the limits of the 1,'nited States, shall be respected as 
valid to the same extent that the same gratit.s would be valid if the said territories had 
remained withiii the limits of Mexico. But the grantees of land in Texas, put in 
possession thereof, who, by reason of the circumstances of the country since the begin- 
ning of the troubles between Texas and the Mexican government, may have been 
prevented from fullilling all the conditions of their grants, shall bo under the obliga- 
tion to fullill the said ctjndilions within the periods limited in thi; same respectively, 
such periods to be now counted from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this 
treaty ; in deduilt of which, said grants shall imt be obligatory on the State of Texas, 
in virtue of the stipulations contained in this article. 

'I'he foregoing stipulation in regard to grantees of land in Texas, is extended to all 
grantees of land in the territories aforesnid, elsewhere than in Texas, put in possession 
under such grants; and in default of the fulfillment of the conditions of any such 
grant within the new period, which, as is above stiinilalcd, begins with the day of the 
exchange of ratilicatioiiis of this treaty, the same shall be null and void. 

The Mexican govcTnment declares that no grant whatever of lands, in Texas, has 
been made since the second day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, 
and that no grant whatever of lands in any of the territories aforesaid, has been made 
since the thirteenth day «)f May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six. 



THE 'J'i<EATV. 563 

Article XI. — Considorinc!; that a <;rcat |)urt of tho territories which, by the ])rc- 
sent treaty are to be com[)reli('ii(leil for the future, williiu the limits of the I'liited 
States, is mnv occupied by savai;<" tribes wlio will herealler be uiuier the control of the 
govertimcut of the I'nitod States, and whose incursions within the territory of Mexico 
would be prejudicial in the extreme, it is solemnly agreed, that all such incursions 
shall be forcibly restrained by the government of the United States, whensoever this 
may lie necessary ; and that when tliey cannot be prevented, they shall be punished 
by the said jrovernment, aTid satisfaction for the same shall be exacted — all in the 
same wav, and with e(iual diliirence and energy, as if the same incursions were com- 
mitted within its own terrritory, ap;ainst its own citixens. 

It shall not be lawful, under any |)retext whatever, for any inhabitant of the United 
States to purchase or ac(iuire any Mexican, or any foreigner residing in Mexico, who 
may have been captured by Indians inhabiting the territory of either of the two re- 
publics ; nor to purchase or ac(|uirc horses, mules, cattle, or property of any kind, 
stolen within Mexican territory by such Indians ; nor to [irovide such Indians with 
firearms or ammunition, by sale or otherwise. 

And in the event of any person or persons cajitured within Mexican territory by 
Indians, being carried into thi^ territory of the ladled States, the government of the 
latter engages and binds itself, in the most solemn matnier, so soon as it shall know 
of such ca])tives being within its territory, and shall be able so to do, through the faith- 
ful exercise of its influence and power, to rescue them, and return them to their coun- 
try, or deliver them to the agent or representative of the Mexican goverinnent. 'i'he 
Mexican authorities will, as far as practicable, give to the government of the United 
States notice of such captures, and its agent shall pay the expenses incurreil in the 
maintenance and transmission of the rescued cajjtives; who, iji the meantime, shall 
be treated with the utmost hospitality by the American authorities, at the place where 
they may be. But, if the government of the United States, before receiving such no- 
tice from Mexico, should obtain intelligence through any other channel, of the exist- 
ence of Mexican captives within its territory, it will proceed forthwith to efl'ect their 
release and delivery to the Mexican agent, as above stipulated. 

For the purpose of giving to these stij)ulations the fullest possible efHcacy, thereby 
aflbnling the security and redress demanded by their true s[iirit and intent, the gov- 
crntnent of the United Slates will now and hereafter pass, without unnecessary delay, 
and always vigilantly enforce, such laws as the nature of the subject may recjuire. 
And finally, the sacredness of this obligation shall never be lost sight of by the said 
government, when providing for the removal of Indians from any portion of said 
territories, or for its being settled by citizens of the United States ; hut, on the con- 
trary, special care shall be taken not to place its Indian occupants under the necessity 
of seeking new homes, by committing those invasions which the United States have 
solemnly obliged themselves to restrain. 

AiiTicLE XII. — In consideration of the extension acquired by the boundaries of the 
United States, as defined in the filth article of the present treaty, tho government of 
the United States engages to pay to that of the Mexican I\c[)ul)lic the sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, in the one or the other of the two modes below specified. 

The Mexican government shall, at the time of ratifying this treaty, declare which 
of these two modes of [)ayment it prefers; and the mode so elected by it, shall be 
conformed to by that of the United States. 

First mode of payment. — Immediately after this treaty shall have been duly ratified 
by the government of the Mexican republic, the sum of three millions of dollars shall 
be paid to the said government by that of the United States, at the city of Mexico, in 
the gold or silver coin of Mexico. For the remaining twelve millions of dollars, the 
United States shall create a stock, bearing an interest at the rate of six per centum per 
annum, commencing on the day of the ratification of this treaty by the government 
of the Mexican republic, and payable annually at the city of U'ashington ; the prin- 
cipal of said stock to be redeemai)|e there, at the pleasure of the governnu'iit ol' the 
United States at any time after two years from the exchange of ratilicatims of this 
treaty ; six months' public notice of the intention to redeem the same being previously 
given. Certificates of such stock in jiro[)er form, for such sums as shall be specified 
by the Mexican government, shall be delivered, and transferrable by the said govern- 
ment to the same by that of the United States. 



564 THH TREATY. 

Second moJe of payment — Imtiiciliatoly after this treaty shall have been duly rati- 
fied by the government of the Mexican republic, the sum of three millions of dollars 
shall be paid to the said govcnmienl by that of the United Slates, at the city of Mex- 
ico, in the gold or silver coin of Mexico. The uinaining twelve millions of dollars 
shall be paid at the same place, and in the same coin, in annual instalments of three 
millions of dollars each, together with iiilcre.>l on the same, at the rate of six per cent. 
per ainnim. 'J'his interest shall begin to run upon the whole sum of twelve millions 
from the day of the ratification of the present treaty by the Mexican government, and 
the first of the instalments shall be paid at the expiration of one year from the same 
day. 'J'ogether with each annual instalment, as it falls due, the whole interest accrue- 
ing on such instalment from the beginning shall also be paid. 

[Certificates, in the proper form, for the said instalments, respectively, in such suras 
as shall be desired by the Mexican goveriimtMit, and transferrable by it, shall be deliv- 
ered to the said government by that of the United States.] 

(N. B — The first of these modes is rejected. The latter is adopted, with the ex- 
ception of the last paragraph, within the brackets.) 

,'\kti(lk XIII. — 'J'he United Slates engage, moreover, to assume and pay to the 
claimants all the amounts now due them, and those hereafter to become due, by reason 
of the claims already li(]uidated and decide<l against the Mexican republic, under the 
conventions between the two repul)lics, severally concluded on the eleventh day of 
April, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, and on the thirtieth day of January, eighteen 
huntlred and forty-three; so that the Mexican republic shall be absolutely exempt for 
the future, from all expense whatever on account of the said claims. 

AiiTiCLK XIV. — The United States do furthermore discharge the Mexican repub- 
lic from all claims of citizens of the United States, not heretofore decided against the 
Mexican government, which may have arisen previously to tlie date of the signature 
of this treaty ; which discharge shall be final and perpetual, whether the said claims 
be rejected or allowed by the board of commissioners provided for in the following 
article, and whatever shall be the total amount of those allowed. 

Article XV. — The United States exonerating Mexico from all demand on account 
of the claims of the citizens mentioned in the preceding article, and considering them 
entirely and forever canceled, whatever their amount may be, undertake to make satis- 
faction for the same, to an amount not to exceed three and one quarter millions of dol- 
lars. To ascertain the validity and amount of those claims, a board of commissioners 
shall he established by the government of the United States, whose awards shall be 
final and conclusive ; provided, that in deciding upon the validity of each claim, the 
board shall be guided and governed by the principles and rules of decision prescribed 
by the first and fifth articles of the unratified convention, concluded at the city of 
Mexico, on the twentieth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and forty- 
three ; and in no case shall an award be made in favor of any claim not embraced by 
these princi[)les and rules. 

If, in the opinion of the said board of commissioners, or of the claimants, any 
books, records, or documents in the possession or power of the government of the Mex- 
ican republic, shall be deemed necessary to the just decision of any claim, the com- 
missioner, or the claimants through them, shall, within such period as Congress may 
designate, make an application in writing for tlie same, addressed to the .Mexican 
Minister for Foreign Affairs, to be transmitted by the Secretary of State of the United 
States; and the Mexican government engages, at the earliest possible moment after 
the receipt of such demand, to cause any of the books, records, or documents, so spe- 
cified, which shall be in their possession or power (or authenticated copies or extracts 
of the same) to be transmitted to the said Secretary of Slate, who shall immediately 
deliver them over to the said board of comniissii)iiers: Provided, that no such appli- 
cation shall be made by, or at the instance of any claimant, until the facts which it ia 
expected to prove by such books, records, or documents, shall have been stated under 
oath or alfirmation. 

AuTicLK XVI. — Each of the contracting parties reserves to itself the entire right to 
fortify whatever point within its territory it may judge proper so to fortify for its 
security. 

Ahticlk XVII. — The treaty of amity commerce, and navigation, concluded at the 
city of Mexico, on the 5th day of April, A. D. 1831, between the United States of 



'J'lli: TREATY. 505 

America and the UniteJ INIpxican Statos, cxerpt the atMitional artirlo, and except so 
far as the sti()ulations of thi; said treaty may not lie incoin[)atit)lc with any stipulation 
contained in the present treaty, is herehy revived for the period of eight years from 
the day of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, vvith the same force ami virtue 
as if incorporated therein ; it heing understood, that each of the contracting parties 
reserves to itself the right, at any time alter the said period of eight years shall have 
expired, to terminate the same hy giving one year's notice of such intention to the 
Other party. 

AuricLK XVIIl. — All sup[)lies whatever, for the troops of the United States in 
Mexico, arriving at the ports in the occupation of such troops, previous to the final 
evacuation thereof, although subsequently to the restoration of the custom houses at 
such ports, shall be entirely exempt from duties and charges of any kind ; the govern- 
ment of the United f^tates hercliy pledging ils faith to establish, and vigilantly to i nt'i>rce 
all possible guards for securing the revenue of Mexico, hy [ircventing the imf)orlation, 
under cover of this stipulation, of any articles other than such, both in kinil and in 
quality, as shall really be wanted for the use and consumption of the forces of llic 
United States during the time they may remain in Mexico. 'I'o this end, it shall be 
the duty of all officers and agents of the United States to denounce to the Mexican 
authorities at the respective ports, any attempts at a fraudulent abuse of this stipula- 
tion which they may know of, or may have reason to suspect, and to give to such 
authorities all the aid in their power with regard thereto; and every such attempt, 
when duly proved and established by the .sentence of a competent tribunal, shall be 
punished by the confiscation of the property so altem()ted to be fraudulently introduced. 

AuTiCLE XI.X. — With respect to all merchandise, effects, and property whatsoever, 
imported into [jorts of .Mexico, whilst in the occupation of the forces of the United 
Slates, whether by citizens of either Re[iublic, or by citizens or subjects of any neutral 
nation, the following rules shall be observed : 

1. .Ml such merchandise, etlects, and property, if imported previously to the resto- 
ration of the custom houses to the Mexican authorities, as stipulated for in the third 
article of this treaty, shall be exempt from confiscation, although the importaiii)n of 
the same be prohibited by the Mexican tarifi! 

2. The same perfect exemption shall be enjoyed by all such merchandi.se, elVects, 
and jiroperty, imported suh.sequently to the restoration of the custom houses and pre- 
viously to the sixty days fixed in the following article for the coming into force of the 
Mexican tariff, at such ports respectively ; the said merchandise, effei tw, and property 
being, however, at the time of their importation, subject to the payment of duties, as 
provided for in the said following article. 

3- .All merchandise, efficls, and pro[ierty, described in the two rules foregoing, shall, 
during thiir continuance at the [)lace of importation, or upon their leaving sucli [ilace 
for the Ulterior, be exempt from all duty, tax or impost, of every kind, under what- 
soever title or denomination. IVor shall they he there subjected to any charge what- 
soever upon the sale thereof 

4. .Ml merchandise, effects and profierty described in the first and second rules, 
which shall have been remi)ved to any \)\nce in the interior, whilst such place was iik 
the occo|)ation of the forces of the United Slates, shall, during their continuance 
therein, lie exempt from all tax upon the sale or consumption thereof, and from every 
kind of import or contribution, under whatever title or denomination. 

5. But, if any merchandise, effects, or projierty, described in the first and second 
rules, shall be removed to any place not occu|)ied at the time by the forces of the 
United States, they shall, upon their introduction into such place, or upon their sale 
or consumption there, be subject to the same duties which, umKr the Mexican laws, 
they would be required to pay in such cases, if they had been imported in the time 
of peace, through the maritime custom hou.se.s, and had there jiaid the duties con- 
formably vvith the .Mexican tariff 

6. The owners of all merchandise, effects, or property described in the first and 
second rules, and cxi.sting in any port of Mexico, shall have the right to reshiji the 
same, exempt from all tax, impost, or contribution whatever. 

With respect to the metals, or other property exported from any Mexican port 
whilst in the occn[iation of the forces of the United States, and previously to the 
restoration of the custom house at such port, no person shall be required by the 
Mexican authorities, whether general or state, to pay any tax, duty, or contribution 



5GG THE TKEATY. 

upon anv such exportiitian, or in any mannur to account for the same to lln' -^^'i*! 
authorities. 

AuricLK XX. — Througli considerations for the interests of commerce generally, it 
is apirecd, that if less than sixty days should elapse between the date of the signature 
of this treaty and the restoration of the custom houses, conformably with the stipula- 
tion in the lliird article, in such case, all merdiandise, cflects, and property wlialso- 
over, arriving at the Mexican ports after the restoration of the said custom houses, 
and j)reviously to the ex[)iration of the sixty days after the day of the signature of 
this treaty, shall be admitted to entry ; and no other duties shall be levied thereon, 
than the duties established by the tariff found in f )rce at such custom houses, at the 
time of the restoration of llie same. And to all such merchandise, cflects, and prop- 
erty, the rules established by the preceding article shall apply. 

Atiiicle XXr. — If, unhappily, any disagreement should hereafter arise between 
the governments of the two re|)ublics, whether with respect to the interpretation of 
any stiiiulation in this treaty, or with res|)ect to any otber particular concerning the 
political or commercial relations of the two nations, the said governments, in the 
name of those nations, do promise to each other that they will endeavor, in the most 
sincere and earnest manner, to settle the dilferences so arising, and to preserve the 
state of peace and friendship in which the two countries are now placing themselves; 
using, for this end, mutual representations and pacific negotiations. And if, by these 
means, they should not be enabled to come to an agreement, a resort shall not, on this 
account, be had to re})risals, aggression, or hostility of any kind, by the one republic 
against the other, until the gov(>rnment of that which deems itself aggrieved, shall 
have maturely considered, in the spirit of peace and good neighborship, whether it 
would not be better that such dilVerence should be settled by the arbitration of com- 
missioners appointed on each side, or by that of a friendly nation. And should such 
course be proposed by either party, it shall be acceded to by the other, unless deemed 
by it altogether incompatible with the nature of the diiference, or the circumstances 
of the case. 

AuTicLE XXn. — If (which is not to be expected, and which God forbid !) war 
shall unhappily break out between the two republics, they now, with a view to such 
calamity, solemnly pledge themselves to each other and to the world, to observe the 
following rules, absolutely, where the nature of the subject permits, and as closely as 
possible in all cases where such absolute observance shall be impossible. 

1. The merchants of either republic then residing within the other shall be allowed 
to remain twelve months (for those dwelling in the interior), and six months (for those 
dwelling at the seaports) to collect their debts and settle their affairs; during which 
periods, they shall enjoy the same protection, and be on the same footing, in all re- 
spects, as the citizens or subjects of the most friendly nations: and at the expiration 
thereof or at any time before, they shall have full liberty to depart, carrying off" all 
their effects, without molestation or hindrance ; conforming therein to the same laws 
which the citizens or subjects of the most friendly nations are required to conform to. 
Upon the entrance of the armies of either nation into the territories of the other, 
women and children, ecclesiastics, scholars of every faculty, cultivators of Uie earth, 
merchants, artisms, manufacturers, and fishermen, unarmed and inhabiting utiforlified 
towns, villages, or places, and in general, all persons whose occupations are for the 
common subsistence and benefit of mankind, shall be allowed to continue their respect- 
ive employments unmolested in their persons. Nor shall their houses or goods be 
burnt, or otherwise destroyed, nor their cattle taken, nor their fields wasted, by the 
armed force into whose power, by the events of war, they may happen to fall ; but, 
if the necessity arise to take any thing from them for the use of such armed force, 
the same shall be paid for at an ecjuitable [irice. All churches, hosj)itals, schools, 
colleges, libraries, and other establishments for charitable and beneficent purposes, shall 
be respected, and all persons connected with the same, protected in the discharge of 
their duties, and the j)ursuil of their vocations. 

2. In order that the fate of prisoners of war may be alleviated, all such yjractices as 
those of sending them into distant, inclement, or unwholesome districts, or crowding 
thein into close and noxious places, shall be studiously avoided. They shall not be 
confined in dungeons, prison-ships, or prisons ; nor be put in irons, or bound, or oth- 
erwise restrained in the use of their limbs. The officers shall enjoy liberty on their 
paroles, within convenient districts, and have comfortable quarters ; and the common 



THK TKEATV 567 

soldiers sliull be (1is[)0scil in rantdniiionts, open and extensive enough for air and exer- 
cise, and lodged in barracks as roomy and good as are provided Ity the party in whose 
power they are, for its own troops. Dut, it" any olficer shall break his parole by leav- 
ing the district so assigned hini, ur any other prisoner shall esca[)C from the limits of 
his cantonment after they shall have been designated to him, such individual, ofllcer, 
or other j)risoncr, shall forfeit so much of the benefit of this article, as provides for 
his liberty on parole or in cantonment. And if an oiricer so breaking iiis |iarole, 
or any common soldier so escaping from the limits assigned him, shall afterwards 
be found in arms, previously to his being regularly exchanged, the person so otlend- 
ing shall be dealt with according to the estalilished laws of war. The ollicers shall 
be daily furnished by the [larly in whose power they are, with as many rations, and 
of the same articles, as are allowed, either in kind or by computation, to ollicers of 
equal rank in its own army ; and all others shall be daily furnished with such ration 
as is allowed to a common soldier in its own .service ; the value of all which supplies 
shall, at the close of the war, or at periods to be agreed upon between the respective 
commanders, Ix; paid by the other party, on a mutual adjustment of accounts for the 
subsistence of i)risoners ; and such accounts shall not be mingled with, or sot off 
against any others, nor the balance due on them be withheld, as a compensation or 
reprisal for any cause whatever, real or pretended. Each party shall be allowed to 
keep a commissary of prisoners, appointed by itself, with every cantonment of |)rison- 
ers in possession of the other ; which commissary shall see the prisoners as often as he 
pleases; shall be allowed to receive, exempt from all duties or taxes, and to distribute, 
whatever comforts may be sent to them by their friends; and shall lie free to transmit 
his reports in open letters to the party by whom he is cmjiloyed. 

And it is declared, that neither the pretence that war dissolves all treaties, nor any 
other whatever, shall be considered as annulling or suspending the .solemn covenant 
contained in this article. < )n the contrary, the state of war is precisely that for which 
it is provided; and during which, its stipulations are to be as sacredly observed as the 
most acknowledged obligations under the law of nature or nations. 

.■\i(Ti( Li; XXIII. — 'I'his treaty shall be ratified by the President of the T'niled 
States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof; and by 
the President of the Mexican Kepublic, with the previous approbation of its (jeneral 
Congress: and the ratifications shall be exchanged in the city of Washington, in four 
months from the date of the signature hereof, or sooner if jiracticable. 

In faith whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty of 
peace, friendship, limits and settlement; and have hereunto affixed our seals respect- 
ively. Done in quintuplicate, at the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second day 
of February, in the year of our l^ord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight. 

N. P. 'PRIST, [l. s.] 

EUI8 G. C LEV AS, [i.. s.] 

BEILXAKDO CO.NTO, [i.. s.] 
MIG. ATKISTALX, [l. s.] 

Additional, and secret article of the treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, 
between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, signed tiiis day 
by their respective plenipotentiaries. (Expunged.) 

In view of the possibility that the exchange of tiie ratifications of this treaty may, 
by the circumstances in which the Mexican Republic is placed, be delayed longer 
than the term of four months lixed by its twenty-third article for the exchange of rati- 
fications of the same, it is herel)y agreed that such delay shall not, in any manner, 
affect the force and valiiiity of this treaty, unless it should exceed liie term ol eight 
months, counted from the date of the signature thereof. 

This article to have the same force and virtue as if inserted in the treaty, to which 
this is an addition. 

In faith whereof, we, the resjiective pIeni[)ofentiaries, have signed this additinnal and 
secret article, and have hereunto affixed our seals respectively. IJone in (juinliipli- 
cate, at the city of Guadahqje Hidalgo, on the second day of February, in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight. 

N. P. 'PRIST, [i.. s.] 

LL'IS G. CUEVAS, [•" «•] 

BERXARUO CO.NTO, [i.. s,] 
MIG. APKIS'PALN, [l. s.] 



568 ATTEMPl'ED REV^Of.UTION BY GEN. PAREDES. 

Immediately after the trcaiy had been negotiated, and a copy thereof 
dispatched to the United States for ratification, Senor Rosa issued a 
circular to the governors of the different states announcing the fact ; 
but the provisions of the treaty itself were withheld, from prudential 
motives of Pena y Pena, who was not willing to give to the Puros 
and Monarquistas the opportunity of condemning it, before it could 
be acted upon by the government of the United States. 

The governors of the states returned evasive answers to the circu- 
lar of the minister ; most of them neither condemning nor approving, 
but many of them demanchng to liave the terms of the treaty made 
known. But the governors of Zacatecas and Guadalajara positively 
refused to comply with the terms of any armistice, stating that they 
would raise troops to defend themselves, Jalisco, too, was endeavor- 
ino- to raise a force, and tlie authorities there had some pieces of 
artillery in the process of manufacture. 

General Santa Anna, as has been before related, on the last day 
of March presented himself to Colonel Hughes, the American com- 
mander at Jalapa, who, advancing to meet him with a squadron of 
cavalrv, treated him with mucli consideration. He left his liacienda 
of Enccrro, near Jalapa, on the 2d of April, and proceeded to Antigua, 
near Vera Cruz, and there embarked, with his iamily, on l)oard a Spa- 
nish brig, which on the 5th sailed with the illustrious exile to the 
island of Jamaica, where he found a quiet and secure asylum. 

At the same time the opponent of Santa Anna, Paredes, equally 
obnoxious to the existing government, having left his retreat at Tulan- 
cingo with such precipitation on the approach of Gen. Lane, proceed- 
ed, not to the coast, but to San Luis Potosi, in hopes of being able to 
raise there a revolution against the power of Pena y Pena, and in 
favor of his monarchical principles. His appearance in the state of 
San Luis created a great commotion. The governor, Adame, and the 
lieut. governor, Avila, favored his scliemes, and a revolution was to be 
set on foot ; but was quelled by the approach of a force under Gen. 
Uuslamente, ordered by the president to march forthwith, to pre- 
vent their designs. Paredes then retired to Aguas Calientes. 

Padre Jarauta, at this time, having been also proscribed by the go- 
vernment, whicli was anxious for t!;e cessation of all guerrilla opera- 
tions, lietook liimself, with a few followers, to the less dangerous occu- 
pation of robbing the Mexicans themselves, near Queretaro. 

Col. Zenobia alone, with a force of guerrillas, near Vera Cruz, con- 
tinued to attack the Americans; and even he seemed to wish no more 
assistance — sending back, to the American commander at Vera Cruz, 
a lieutenant and six men, who had descried to him from that post. 



JiATTLE OF SANTA ('Ri:Z UE KOSALES. 569 

Gen. Alvarez coiitiiiiied his atteaipls to get up a proinmciainento in 
the south, l)ut without any suceei-s, the popuhice hclng weary of the 
war, (Jen. Ahnonte retired to his hacienchi in the north of Mexieo. 
Most of ihe odicers unfavorabh^ to the ooverninent took up their abode 
at (nianajuato ; and lliose disposed for peace, at Queretaro, around the 
president, where also were; a part of the congress assembled. 

In the mean time, one more battle was fought, in the north of Mex- 
ico, at Santa Cruz dc RosaUs, near Cliihuahua, between the forces of 
the American general. Price (who was ignorant of the treaty), and 
Gen. Angel Trias, governor of that state, who was aware of the 
existence of the treaty, and also of the armistice. 'J'he Americans in 
New Mexico, under General Price, had, previous to this time, occu- 
pied a succession of posts from the capital, Santa Fe, along down the 
Rio Grande, to El Paso. The latter, the most southern, three hun- 
dred miles from Chihuahua, was commanded by Lt. Col. Ralls. About 
the first of February, that oflicer, having captured a Mexican lieu- 
tenant, from some papers found upon his person was led to believe 
that he would be attacked from Cliihuahua by Generals Urrea and 
Angel Trias, witli an overwhelming force. 'J'his induced him at once 
to send for reinforcements to Santa Fe. General Price immediately 
marched lo his relief, and assumed the command at El Paso, with 
sixteen hundred men, and ten pieces of artillery. Finding that Urrea 
was not al Chihuahua, and that Gen. Trias had possession of that 
city, Price made a rapid march with four hundred dragoons and 
mounted men, and two pieces of artillery, towards Chihuahua, with 
the remainder of his army to follow immediately. Hearing of his 
approach. Gen. Trias, on tiie morning of the 7th of March, evacuated 
the city with his troops, numbering one thousand men, and eightpieccs 
of artillery, and took the road towards Durango. The Americans 
entered Chihuahua on the night of ihe 7th, and, leaving their two 
pieces of artillery, on the 8th continued in pursuit of 'J'rias, and, by 
marching at night, overtook him at Santa Cruz de Rosales — a town 
of two thousand inhabitants, sixty miles distant. On the morning of 
the 9th, ihe Americans filed to the northwest of the town, and halted. 
Gen. Trias, astonished at his being overtaken, fired a few cannon 
shot upon the Americans, who witlulrawiiig from the range, toi)k 
positions iuuncdiately to storm the town. 'J'rias received, l)y a flag 
of truce, a demand for unconditional surrender. He refused this, but 
requested of the American general an interview within the town, 
whi(;h i)eing granted, he informed Price of the negotiated treaty, and 
of the terms of the armistice, and demanded that he should be allowed 
to proceed on his retreat unmolested. CJeneral Price, discrediting 



570 . CONDITION OF YUCATAN. 

this, but believing, however, that such might be the case, deiiianded 
of General Angel Trias, that he sliould inarch his whole force, or two 
companies of it, with his artillery and munitions of war, back to Chi- 
huahua, and take quarters in one portion of the city, while tlr? Amer- 
can troops quartered in another — not to molest each other until the 
American commander should receive directions from his government. 
Trias, considering that in such a case himself and command would 
be but prisoners in Chiliualuia, refused, and Price withdrew from the 
conference, delenniued upon the attack ; hut having seen the strong 
arrangements lor defense, he suspended his operations until the arri- 
val of his artillery, and stationed liis troops so as to cut off the com- 
munications from the town. In the afternoon, Gen. Trias sent two 
flags of truce to tlie Americans : the first, asking whether he was be- 
sieged. On receiving answer that all communications were stopped, 
he sent the second, stating that he considered himself besieged, and 
that hostilities would be commenced; but repeated his assurances of 
the existing armistice to the American general. 

On the 11th, General Price received the two pieces of artillery from 
Chihuahua; and on the morning of the 10th, his battery of seven 
pieces, which by rapid marching had come at his call two hundred 
and twenty-five miles in three and a half days. This reinforcement 
increased the number of the Americans to seven hundred men. The 
battle then commenced at half past 9, A. M., by a rapid and destruc- 
tive cannonade from the American artillery, returned with spirit by 
Trias. This continued for two hours and a half; was recommenced 
at half past 3, P. M., by the artillery, and the whole American force, 
in separate columns, assaulted the dillcrent parts of the town. For 
near six hours the conflict raged furiously, until at 9 I^.M., the Ameri- 
cans, having penetrated through the walls of the buildings and gained 
entrance to the plaza. Gen. 'J'rias, after a loss of three hundred men 
killed and wounded, surrendered. American loss very small. 

The prisoners and trophies were marched back to Chihuahua by 
the American general, who took up his quarters within that city, and 
held it until he rtMreived orders from the government to evacuate it, 
which was not done until the 20tli of July, when he commenced his 
return to Santa Fe. 

While the senate of the United States were deliberating upon the 
treaty, President i'eha y Pena and liis cabinet were making every 
exertion to secure its ratification l)y the Mexican congress, .--hould 
it be approved by tiie i'ormer power. I'^or lliis purpose, he decla- 
red his intention, if it was necessary to procure a quorum, to ex- 
clude from representation New [Mexico, Califi)rnia, ;ind Yucatan — the 



THEaTV of peace COM'IKMED. 571 

two former being in the full possession of ihe Americans, and the 
latter not having acted in conjunction with )ier sister states of Mexico 
(luriiifT the war, and even now being overrun witli an extensive 
insurrection of her native Indians, or peones, who, in numljer about 
forty thousand, under their chiefs Jacinto I'at and Cecilio Chi, rava- 
ged the whole country, sf)aring neither age nor sex of the unfortunate 
whites, devastating the wliole interior with fire and sword. The fugi- 
tive families were flying to the coast, and availing themselves of every 
opportunity to escape with their lives. The governor, Don Miguel 
Barbachaiio, in the extremity of his distress, sent to the Spanish au- 
thorities at Havanna, to the English at Jajiiaica, to those of the United 
States at Washington, and to the commander of the American squad- 
ron on the Mexican coast, for assistance ; offering the full possession 
and dominion of their country to any of those powers who would 
.save them. They were assisted by Commodore Perry with ammu- 
nition, by tbe authorities at Havanna with the like, by the English at 
Honduras with two hundred men, and from .Jamaica with arms; and 
after this lime, by American volunteers discharged from the army. 
The details of this vast insurrection, and long continued indiscrimi- 
nate massacre, would not repay the perusal ; suffice it to say, that it 
commenced in July, 1847, and w^as at its worst in April, 1848; when 
the sufferings of the people were beyond description. Since that the 
whites have succeeded in making a stand against, and in obtaining ad- 
vantages over their savage foes. In this condition, Yucatan could 
send no members to the national congress ; and Peua y I'ena, there- 
fore, was determined, in case of necessity, to reduce the quota of 
congress by her number of deputies. 

Nor in Yucatan alone was this insurrection of the peones. From 
Tampico to Tuspan, the whole country was unsettled. Two thou- 
sand insurgents of the same character had risen in the state of Guana- 
juato. The northern savage Indians were also making inroads into 
San Luis, Durango, and Sonora. 

The treaty of peace was confirmed, with amendments, by the se- 
nate of the United States, after a protracted discussion, on the 10th 
of March, 1848, and two commissioners, Messrs. Sevier and Clifford, 
were immediately sent to bear it to Mexico for ratification by the 
Mexican congress; while Mr. Trist was called home, as a prisoner. 
Mr. Clifford arrived at the city of Mexico on the 11th of April; Mr. 
Sevier in a day or two after. Remaining in the capital a few days, 
on the 22d they were escorted by a squadron of American cavalr}'^ 
towards Queretaro. 

No sooner was the action of the U. S. senate known by the 



572 AMERICAN ARMIES LEAVE MEXICO. 

Mexican government, llian Peila y Pefia made most vigorous exertions 
to obtain a meeting of congress. Money was obtained from the clergy 
who for some time had been beroming more favorable towards the 
treaty ; the members of congress were furnished with the necessary 
funds, and more than a quorum were immediately assembled. The 
president, in an able message, laid before the body the condition of 
the nation, and the advantages that would accrue from a peace ; while 
Rosa, as secretary of state, showed that it was impossil)le for the 
nation any longer to carry on the war, tlieir armies being destroyed, 
their resources gone, and the enemy every where victorious. 

In the chamber of deputies the treaty met with fierce opposition; 
but finally, on the 19th of May, it was ratified in that house, as amen- 
ded in the American senate, by a vote of 51 to 35. On the 25th, 
with but little opposition, it passed the Mexican senate, by a full vote 
of 33 to 4 ; and in half an hour afterwards, the escort of the Ameri- 
can commissioners entered the city. 

Tlie ratifications were exchanged, and the war was ended. The 
last force of American troops, which, under Gen. Kearney, had just 
entered the capital from Vera Cruz, had arrived only immediately to 
return. No delay was made by Gen. Butler in evacuating the city. 
Gen. Smilli was sent immediately to Vera Cruz to superintend the 
embarkation of the army, which in four divisions left the capital. Tiie 
siege train, and all the artillery, commenced the march on tlie 29th 
of May ; Gen. Patterson's division on the 1st of June, followed by 
that of Gen. Marshall, and that of Gen. Worth brought up the rear. 
As they marched out, the Mexican troops, which had been sta- 
tioned at Guadalupe, entered. Tiie volunteers of Gen. Wool's army 
in the north, left soon after ; part of the regular forces proceeded to 
California, and part to New Mexico. Chihuahua was evacuated by 
Geji. Price on the 20th July. 

The Mexican congress declared Gen. Herrera the constitutional 
president, and Peua y Peila was reelected ciiief justice of the su- 
preme court. Gen. Paredes and Padre Jarauta immediately com- 
menced a revolution, by issuing a pronunciamento against Herrera, at 
Aguas Calientes. Tlie first movement of the new government was 
to send Gen. Bustamente, at the head of the army, against them. 
The result of this was, that, afterward, Paredes was routed, and Ja- 
rauta taken prisoner and sliot. 



